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LYNCHBURG 

and ITS PEOPLE 



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BY 

IV. Asbury Christian 



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Lynchburg: . 
J. P. Bell Company, Printers. 
19 00 






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14287 



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I Library of Conyress 

Two CoPtEs Received 
JUL 3 1900 

Ho^f^^OA^ 

FIRS! tOPY. 

I ORDER awriiiiK I 

L_iUL„ 5 1900 { 

Copyright, 1900, 

bt w. asbury christian. 

All rights reserved. 



^ 

V 



ft? 



The G-rand- daughter of one of the original trustees 
of tlm town of Lyncliburg) my dearest friend, 

Big Motltct, 

And to all the other noble women, 

whose names may not appear upon these pages, 

but who, nevertheless, by their Melity and womanly 

greatness have made our city what it is, 

this volume is affectionately 

Dedicated. 



PREFACE. 



I have undertaken to do what is seldom done — to write the 
history of a Southern town. I suppose few have thought it worth 
while to write of a single town, unless there be something extra- 
ordinary that should be told. It seems to me, however, that if 
history is worth anything, that history is most valuable which tells 
of the "triumphs of peace," of the industrial, social and intellectual 
development, and of the heroic deeds of the people nearest to us. 

I cannot claim that the history of Lynchburg is of greater 
importance than that of other places, except to the people of 
Lynchburg. It may be of interest to them to learn of the struggles 
through which the fathers passed to establish our native city, and 
coming generations may be concerned to know what we did to make 
life more comfortable, and to beq\ieatli to them larger opportunities 
for usefulness. 

Such are the limitations of my work that I have not been able to 
tell all that I would have liked to tell, neither have I found time 
and space to trace family histories, interesting of course to the 
families. I have spoken of people only as they were connected with 
the town's history, hence many worthy citizens have not been 
mentioned because their quiet life kept them out of the public view. 
At the rifek of being tedious, I have given the names of the citizens 
who took part in affairs of importance, in order that the men and 
the movements might be associated together. 

The work could have been done better, but with the responsibility 
of a large church, I have done what I could, and I trust that my 
efforts will be looked upon by my townspeople with a leniency that 
should view a labor largely inspired by love. 

The willingness of all upon whom I have called to render such 
assistance as they could is worthy of mention ; but I must acknowledge 
my special indebtedness to ' ' Sketches and Recollections of Lynch- 
burg," by Mrs. Margaret Cabell ; to Carter Glass, of the LjTichburg 
News; Robert J. Davis, N. B. James, John W. Lankford. Rev. T. 
H. Early, General T. T. Munford, Colonel M. S. Langhome, Major 
John W. Daniel, Captain Charles M. Blackford, W. B. Snead, 
William Davis, F. J. Doherty, Mrs. Teresa Jordan Ambler, Mrs. 
A. E. Cross, Miss Juliet Fauntleroy, and to John W. Crawford, 
colored, who loaned me books and papers. 

Lynchburg, January 24, 1900. 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER 1—1720. page 

The LTnches, the Quakers, and the Quaker Meeting House 9 

CHAPTER 11—1754-1800. 

New London ; Lynch Law ; Lynch' s Ferry ; Founding of 
Lynchburg 18 

CHAPTER III— 1800-1810. 

First Methodist Church ; Lynchburg Incorporated ; Progress of 
the Town 28 

CHAPTER IV— 1810-1820. 

War ; Burning of the Theatre ; Public Improvements ; General 
Jackson' s Visit ; First Presbyterian Church ; River Naviga- 
tion ; The Boom ; The Baptist 42 

CHAPTER V— 1820-1830. 

Episcopal Church ; Death of John Lynch ; Preparation for 
General Lafayette' s Visit ; Efforts to Save Mr. Jefferson' s 
Home ; Henry Clay' s Visit ; The Water- Works ; The 
Barnes, and the Lost Child 71 

CHAPTER VI— 1830-1840. 

Mrs. Royall's Visit ; The Carnival of Death ; Lynchburg and 
New River Railroad ; The Canal ; Falling Stars ; Trouble 
with the Slaves ; Lynchburg's Poet 101 

CHAPTER VII— 1840-1850. 

First Boat ; War with Mexico ; Richmond and Ohio Railroad ; 

The Great Struggle ; Success 128 

CHAPTER VIII— 1850-1860. 

Beginning the Road ; Continued Prosperity; The Town becomes 
a City; The Dog Fight ; Norfolk and Portsmouth Stricken; 
Fires ; John Brown's Raid 146 



8 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IX— 1860-1870. page 

Secession ; War ; Reconstruction ; Hard Times ; Reception to 

Ex-President Johnson, and estimate of him 181 

CHAPTER X— 1870-1880. 

Re-admission ; The Capitol Disaster ; The Great Freshet ; 
General Lee dead ; Public Schools Established ; Railroad 
Building ; Financial Crisis ; Bishop Early dies ; Great 
Religious Awakening ; The Falling Hotel ; Politics 274 

CHAPTER XI— 1880-1890. 

Prosperity; President Garfield's death; The Great Fire; The 
Incendiary ; A New Railroad ; The Miraculous Railroad 
Accident ; Judge James Garland ; Effects of Cleveland' s 
Election 328 

CHAPTER XII— 1890-1900. 

"Wet or Dry"; The Boom; The W^oman's College; Hard 
Times, the result of the Boom ; General Early's death ; 
The University Burned ; War with Spain ; Departure of 
Lynchburg Troops ; Great Prosperity ; Closing Events 382 

Appendix 483 



Lynchburg and Its People. 



CHAPTER I. 



In the year 1720, or thereabout, a youth of some 
fifteen summers became dissatisfied with his home in 
Ireland and determined to leave it. The cause of this 
dissatisfaction was the ill-treatment of his stepmother, 
although some say it was the harsh discipline of his 
school-teacher. He kept his purpose to himself until 
he met a sea captain who was on the eve of sailing for 
North America. To him he told his story, and begged 
that he would take him aboard his ship. The captain 
agreed, and the ship put out to sea. It had not gone 
far before the boy repented of his rash act and longed 
to be back home again ; and seeing all other ways of 
return cut off, he threw himself into the sea and at- 
tempted to swim to shore. He was rescued by one of 
the sailors, and the ship proceeded on its course. 

After a long voyage, the ship reached Virginia and 
began to discharge its cargo. The captain had to make 
some disposition of the boy indented to him for his 
passage, so he apprenticed him to Christopher Clark, a 
Quaker, and a wealthy tobacco planter, who lived in 
what is now Louisa county. 

Young Charles Lynch, or Licht, as it was sometimes 



10 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

called, went to work with a heavy heart, for he was a 
stranger in a strange land. But this did not last long. 
Sarah Clark, a daughter of the planter, began to sym- 
pathize with the young man, and before many years had 
passed the old story was repeated : there was a love 
affair, a courtship, and Charles Lynch and Sarah Clark 
were married. 

After the marriage they moved to a farm called 
"Chestnut Hill," on James river, about one mile 
below the present site of Lynchburg, in what is now 
Campbell county. Charles Lynch took up large tracts 
of land on the James and Staunton rivers. These 
grants* from George II, through William Gooch, Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of Virginia, show that in consideration 
of a few pounds sterling and a promise to improve 
the land, there were given to him thousands of acres 
of valuable land. Six children were born to them : 
Charles, Penelope, Sarah, John, Christopher, and Ed- 
ward. Of these children Charles and John are of most 
interest to us, as will be seen later. 

Sarah Clark Lynch was a member of the Society of 
Friends, or Quakers, and was expelled for marrying 
outside of her Society, Charles Lynch not being reli- 
giously disposed. She was, however, received again, 
as the following extract from the records shows : " At 
Camp Creek Meeting, Green Spring, Louisa Co., 16th 
of 4th month, 1750, Sarah Lynch was received into 
membership." While not recognized as a member by 

*The old parchments are now in the hands of some of Charles 
Lynch'8 descendants. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 11 

the Quakers, she was nevertheless true to her religious 
beliefs, and held meetings in her own house, in which 
her children and others were instructed. This was the 
beginning of the Quaker meetings which are so closely 
connected with the history of Lynchburg. 

South River Meeting, as it was called, was regularly 
established in the year 1757. The first entry in the 
records is as follows : " At a meeting held at South 
River the 29th of the 11th month, 1757. The record- 
ing the names and ao:es of Friends' children referred to 
the clerk, who is directed to enter them without trou- 
bling the meeting. The choice of overseers being con- 
sidered, the meeting appoints Boling Clark and Edward 
Clark for South River." 

Not long after this a log meeting house was built 
near the site of the old stone meeting house. The house 
was not large enough for the growing meetings, so they 
determined to enlarge it, as the following extracts from 
the records show : "At a monthly meeting held at 
South River the 19th of the 2nd month, 1763, the 
representative being called, appeared for South River. 
The direction of the Quarterly Meeting that the right 
of land whereon the Meeting House is built be made 
good against next Quarterly Meeting, Boling Clark, 
AVilliam Johnson and Charles Lynch are appointed as 
trustees for this meeting, and it is directed that the land 
on which this house stands be made safe for the use 
intended." . . . " At a monthly meeting held at South 
River the 19th of the 3rd month, 1763, the represen- 
tatives being called, appeared. The Friends appointed 



12 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

as trustees respecting the Meeting House Land reported 
they have taken the needful care. The workmen em- 
ployed to build an addition to the Meeting House have 
finished the same, and brought in their charge, which 
is allowed. Boling Clark and Daniel Candler are ap- 
pointed to inform Friends who are not present that they 
are desired to bring in their subscriptions to next meet- 
ing, also to be furnished in order to raise more, as the 
subscription is not sufficient to answer the present 
charge, and report their case." 

Early in 1763 we find the Quakers established at 
South River, and a better people, perhaps, never lived. 
They were distinguished in many particulars from the 
other people who lived near them. Their dress was 
uniform and very simple. The men wore broad- 
brimmed hats and curved or shad-bellied coats, and 
the women wore sad-colored dresses and coal-scuttle 
bonnets. Their speech was simple, using the regula- 
tion "thee" and "thou." Their discipline was strict, 
and members were dismissed for the slightest infraction 
of their rules. In regard to this, we give some inter- 
esting quotations from the old records : 

"Whereas Charles Lynch,* having been a member of the Society 
of the People called Quaker* and having, contrary to our known 
principles, been guilty of taking solemn oaths, we do testify against all 
such practices, and the acter thereof from being any longer a member 
of our Society, till it may please God to convict him of his error and 
work repentance in him by a Godly sorrow, which is the sincere de- 
sire of us. Signed on behalf of the meeting. 

William Ferrell, Clerk. 

South Meeting House, 20th of the 12th mo., 1767." 

♦Son of first Charles Lynch, who died 1752. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 13 

Charles Lynch was reinstated, and again turned out 
for taking up arms in his country's defence, as was 
James Johnson. One member was married by a preacher 
not a Quaker, and this appears : 

"Whereas Zachariah Moorman hath so far deviated from the 
rules of our Society as to be married by an hireling Priest, we do 
testify against him, 8th of 5th mo., 1777." 

The Friends appointed to speak with those Friends 
who had not discharged their negroes report that they 
have had an " opportunity " with them. John Lynch 
was before the meeting for using harsh words towards 
a Friend. William Ferrell was disowned for marrying 
a woman not a Friend. " Enoch Roberts sent a paper 
to this meeting condemning his conduct in procuring 
firearms for his defence, which this meeting accepts." 
Many are the complaints against the members for pro- 
fane language, intemperance, dishonesty in business, and 
other immoralities, but the following against Samuel J. 
Harrison will be of interest to the members of the 
Masonic fraternity : 

South River, 15th of 3rd month, 1794. A complaint was brought 
into this meeting from the preparative meeting against Sam'l J. 
Harrison for joining and associating with those called Masons, who 
appeared in the exercise of swords and musical instruments. Micajah 
Davis, John Lynch and William Pidgeon are appointed to visit him 
and report to this meeting." 

The men and women held separate meetings for the 
transaction of business, and the women frequently had 
to reprove some of their members. I quote a part of 
the proceedings of one of their meetings : 



14 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

"At a meeting of the Women Friends held at South Kiver the 
11th of the 10th mo., 1806. The representatives from the prepara- 
tive meeting are, for South River, Mary Lynch and Elizabeth Doug- 
lass. The queries were read and answered in substance as follows : 
Ans. 1. Meetings are duly attended by most Friends on 1st days, but 
much neglected on week days and those for discipline. No complaint 
of unbecoming behavior when met. Ans. 2. Love and unity are 
maintained in a good degree among us. Talebearing and detraction 
mostly discouraged. Ans. 3. It appears that Friends generally avoid 
vain sports, places of diversion, gaming and unnecessary frequenting 
of taverns, also the common and unnecessary use of distilled spirits 
and other intemperance is mostly guarded against. Ans. 4. No 
complaint of unjust dealing, but punctuality is not so fully kept as 
is desired. No complaint of false or clandestine trade, or of buying 
or selling goods so imported, or prize goods. Ans. 5. We know of 
none who contribute to an hireling minister, and Friends appear 
generally • careful not to attend places of ceremonious worship, nor 
take or administer oaths, bear arms, or act in any military service. 
Ans. 6. We know of none among us who hold slaves. Some are 
concerned to instruct the black children under their care. ' ' 

An interesting custom of the Quakers was the mar- 
riage ceremony. I shall give the report of the marriage 
of " Friend " Davis, who lived in the house now occu- 
pied by Dr. George M. Preston, corner Main and 
Thirteenth streets, and was known to many of the older 
citizens : 

"Whereas William Davis, son of Sam'l Davis, and Annis, his 
wife, of Bedford Co., and Zalinda Lynch, daughter of John Lynch 
and Mary, his wife, of Campbell Co. , and both of the State of Va. , 
having declared their intention of marriage with each other before 
several monthly meetings of Friends at South River, Campbell Co., 
according to the good order used amongst them, whose proceedings 
therein, after deliberate consideration, they appearing clear of all 
other marriage engagements, were approved by this meeting. These 
are to certify all whom it may concern, that for the accomplishment 
of their intention, they, William Davis and Zalinda Lynch, appear- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 



15 



ing in a Publick of the aforesaid people and others at the Meeting 
House this 13th day of the 5th month, in the year of our Lord 1793, 
and in a solemn manner William Davis taking Zalinda Lynch by the 
hand, did openly declare as followeth in the presence of this Assem- 
bly: "I take Zalinda Lynch in marriage, promising with Divine 
assistance to be unto her a true and faithful husband until death shall 
separate us" (or words to the same effect), and then and there in 
the said assembly Zalinda Lynch, taking the man by the hand, de- 
clared as followeth : "I take W^illiam Davis in marriage, promising 
with Divine assistance to be unto him a true and faithful wife until 
death shall separate us." And the said William Davis and Zalinda 
Lynch (now his wife), as a further confirmation of the said marriage, 
did then and there to these presents set their hands, and we whose 
names are hereunto subscribed being present at the solemnization of 
the above marriage as witnesses, have also subscribed our names. 

W^iLLiAM Davis. 

Zalinda Lynch. 



Wm. Johnson, 
Arch Lacey, 
Wm. Stanton, 
George Roberts, 
Eobt. Hanna, 
Cathe. Hanna, 
Gerard Johnson, 
Susanna Miller, 
Vernon Metcalf, 
Matilda Roberts, 
Mary Terrell, 
Ann Terrell, 
Sally Lynch, 
Elizabeth Douglass, 
Paley Fowler, 
Sarah Lodge, 
Agatha Dicks, 
Elizabeth Johnson, 



John Lynch, 
Sam'l Lynch, 
Enoch RobertSj 
John Davis, Sr., 
Achilles Douglass, 
Thomas Davis, 
Micajah Davis, 
Mary Timberlake, 
Gideon Lece, 
John Baughan, 
AVm. Dicks, 
David Johnson, 
Ashby Johnson, Jr., 
Ed. Terrell, 
Penelope Johnson, 
Susanna Johnson, 
Wm. Johnson, 
Rebeckah Preston, 



Joe. Johnson, 
Sarah Terrell, - 
Mildred Johnson, 
Alice Taylor, 
Jos. Martin, 
Lacy Baughan, 
Newberry Johnson, 
Dudley Care, 
Tace Nichols, 
Anna Lea, 
Micajah Terrell, Jr., 
Sam'l Terrell, 
Robt. Johnson, 
Chris. Johnson, 
Robt. Burton. 
Isaac Parish, 
Mary Terrell, 
Miurny Jolmson." 



At a meeting held on the 20th of the 11th month, 
1791, it was decided to build a new meeting house of 



16 



LYNCHBURG AND IlvS PEOPLE. 



stone, fifty feet by thirty-two, and twelve feet high, and 
on the 17th of the 12th month of the same year the 
following building committee : Micajah Davis, William 
Staunton, William Davis, Samuel Davis, Joseph Strat- 
ton, Christopher Anthony, Achilles Douglass, Joe An- 
thony, and William Pidgeon, reported that they had 
let the work and taken considerable subscription. This 
was the house whose walls now stand. 

The Quakers, like the churches of the present day, 
found it not an easy matter to raise enough money for 
building, hence the work was delayed, and was not 
finished until the close of 1798. 

Here in this stone meeting house these devout people 
gathered every Thursday and Sunday through the year 
to worship God. It was a solemn scene. In the quiet 
forest, with the silence unbroken save by the passing of 
an occasional vehicle or the sweet song of some happy 
bird that had approached, the young and the old waited 
reverently for the moving of the Spirit, or if that did 
not come, for the hand-shaking of the elders, which was 
the signal for dismissal. 

When the War of 1812 came on, many were turned 
out of the Society for taking up arms. They not only 
did not countenance war, but refused to assist in any 
way in carrying it on. At a meeting held the 9th of 
4th month, 1814, an account of Friends suffering from 
muster fines was laid before the meeting. There was 
taken from Josiah Bailey by Thomas Claytor, deputy 
sheriff of Bedford county, one pair saddle-bags worth 
four dollars ; demand, seventy-five cents. Taken from 




RUINS OF THE QUAKER MEETING-HOUSE 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 17 

Stephen Butler, Jr., by John Talbot, deputy sheriff of 
Campbell county, one counting reel worth two dollars ; 
demand, three dollars and twenty-five cents. These 
cases were referred to the quarterly meeting for inves- 
tigation. 

The register of births and marriages was kept up 
until 1858, but the meetings were discontinued in 1839. 
Then Quakerism was no longer a religious denomina- 
tion, but the principles taught by these simple-hearted 
and faithful men and women abide even to this day. 
In the quiet graveyard adjoining the meeting house, 
many whose happy lives had woven into them the golden 
cord of the meeting house experience, now sleep the 
peaceful sleep of the tomb. The meeting house itselt 
is crumbling to dust, and as we stand amid its ruins we 
can but muse : 

" As sadly sighs the wandering winds, 

Where oft, in years gone by, 
Prayers rose from many hearts to Him, 

The Highest of the High ; 
The tramp of many a heavy foot 

That sought thy aisles is o' er. 
And many a weary heart around 

Is still forever more." 



CHAPTER II. 

Some ten or fifteen miles from "Chestnut Hill," 
where Charles Lynch settled, there was a small village 
that was destined to figure in history. The village was 
begun before Lynch ever crossed the James river, and 
when, in 1746, Lunenburg county was formed from 
Brunswick, this village became the county-seat. Seven 
years after, when Bedford was formed from Lunenburg, 
it still retained the honor of being the county-seat of 
the new county. Mr. Jefierson, in his " Notes," written 
1781, speaking of the villages or hamlets on the James 
river and its waters, mentions, among others, Richmond, 
Manchester, Charlottesville, and New London. At this 
time there were seventy or eighty houses at New London, 
besides an arsenal, a long wooden structure which was 
nearly opposite Echols Tavern, and which was after- 
wards moved to Harper's Ferry. There was also a build- 
ing used as a magazine in the Revolutionary War, which 
was guarded by some American soldiers. In 1781 Gen- 
eral Cornwallis sent Colonel Tarleton to destroy any 
stores he might find, intercept some troops thought to be 
moving on to join General Lafayette, and to proceed to 
Poplar Forest and capture Mr. Jefferson, who was con- 
fined there in consequence of a fall from his horse. 
Tarleton found neither stores nor troops, and proceeded 
no further, but returned to the main army. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 19 

While the war was in progress the Tories in this part 
of Virginia gave the people a great deal of trouble. 
They formed a conspiracy against the Commonwealth, 
and with a number of desperadoes inflicted great loss 
and injury upon the people. Colonel Charles Lynch, 
brother of John Lynch, Colonel William Preston, 
Colonel James Calloway, and Captain Robert Adams, 
Jr., seeing: that the State at this time could not afford 
the necessary protection, organized as many men as they 
could get, pursued these marauders and captured many 
of them. Colonel Lynch was appointed judge. The 
punishment inflicted was either flogging or imprison- 
ment, and in few, if any, cases death. The law as thus 
administered was called, in honor of the judge, Lynch's 
Law. Many of the more respectable Tories who were 
flogged instituted suit for the infliction of this punish- 
ment. Whereupon the General Assembly, in October, 
1782, sanctioned Lynch's Law by passing the following 
act for the protection of the parties engaged : 

"Whereas divers evil disposed persons in the year 1780 formed a 
conspiracy, and did actually attempt to levy war against the Com- 
monwealth, and it is represented to the present General Assembly 
that William Preston, Robert Adams, Jr., James Calloway and 
Charles Lynch, and other faithful citizens, aided by detachments of 
volunteers from different parts of the State, did by timely and effectual 
measures suppress such conspiracy ; and whereas the measures taken 
for that purpose may not be strictly warranted by law, although jus- 
tifiable from the imminence of danger : 

Be it therefore enacted, that said William Preston, Robert Adams, 
Jr., James Calloway and Charles Lynch, and all other persons what- 
soever concerned in suppressing said conspiracy or in advising, issuing 
or executing any orders or measures taken for that purpose, stand 



20 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

indemnified and exonerated of and from all pains, penalties, prose- 
cutions, actions, suits or danger on account thereof; and that if 
any indictment, prosecution, action, or suit shall be laid or brought 
against them, or any of them, for any action or thing done therein, 
the defendant or defendants may plead in bar or the general issue, 
and give this act in evidence." 

This was the origin of Lynch LaM^ in America, which 
of late years has become such a menace to society. 
Colonel Lynch's home was in Campbell county, not far 
from New London, and it is claimed that the iiree now 
stands under which many of his trials took place. 

There were several Scotch merchants engaged in 
business at New London who, being Tories, were sus- 
pected of being in sympathy with the conspiracy, and 
were forced to leave. This had its eifect upon the 
prosperity of the village, and from this and other losses 
it never recovered. One Scotch Tory who lived in the 
county near here has become celebrated in history. 
This was John Hook, who figured so conspicuously in 
the well-known " Beef Case " that Patrick Henry de- 
fended in the old courthouse at New London, and spoke 
upon so strongly as to ridicule the plaintiff out of court. 
The last ever heard of John Hook was a ferocious ad- 
vertisement in 1805, in The Lynchburg Star, for a lost 
slave. 

New London was then a place of much importance, 
being the trading centre for all the country in this part 
of Virginia. People coming from Charlottesville, and 
that part of Albemarle county which in 1761 was 
formed into Amherst, had great difficulty in crossing 
the James river. The ford was near an island in the 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 21 

river (now called Percival's Island) to the county of 
Bedford. Fording was very unsatisfactory, for the 
water was swift and dangerous, and when there had 
been continuous rains the travelers were forced to camp 
on the banks of the river until the waters fell so as to 
admit of a safe passage over. The road leading from 
the river on the Bedford side was known as Horse-Ford 
Road. The land about here was inherited by Charles 
Lynch's second son, John. John Lynch saw the diffi- 
culty of fording the river, so in 1757 he established a 
ferry from his land in Bedford county over the Flu- 
vanna river (the James river began where the Fluvanna 
and the Rivanna rivers met ; the river from this point 
to the Blue Ridge was the Fluvanna and from there to 
its source Jackson's river — Jefferson's " Notes ") at the 
mouth of Blackwater creek to Micajah Moorman's land, 
in the county of Albemarle. The ferry landed at the 
foot of the hill where the Amherst bridge now stands. 
John Lynch built a ferry house on the spot where the 
Virginia and Tennessee depot stood, and moved there 
from his place near the Quaker Meeting House. This 
old ferry house was moved to Clay street, corner Tenth, 
and stands there to-day. Then it served as a tavern 
and also a dwelling for the old Quaker and his family. 
The ferry did a good business, and soon shallow boats, 
called batteaux, were made in order to carry produce, 
etc., down the river. Mr. Jefferson in his " Notes," 
speaking of the minerals of the State, says : " From 
the furnace the lead is transported one hundred and 
thirty miles along a good road, leading through the 



22 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Peaks of Otter to Lynch's ferry, or Winston's (Judge 
Edmund Winston then lived at " Chestnut Hill "), on 
James river ; from thence it is carried by water about 
the same distance to Westham." 

The ferry proved a good investment, and continued 
its good work of carrying freight and passengers across 
the river. But a new era was dawning. The primeval 
forests remained undisturbed on both sides of the river, 
except here and there where some settler had made a 
clearing for his home, or where a narrow strip had been 
cleared for a road. A few miles from the ferry a small 
tribe of Monagan Indians lived peaceably. The echoes 
of the Revolution had died away. General Washing- 
ton had retired to his home at Mount Vernon, and 
Patrick Henry, for the second time, was Governor of 
Virginia. The Tories, for there were many hereabout, 
felt that their greatest hopes had been dashed to pieces, 
and that all was ruined, while the Americans were ex- 
ulting in their victory, and looking forward to the peace 
and prosperity that liberty would bring to them. As 
yet the Constitution had not been adopted, and there 
was no United States, but only thirteen States bound 
together by the Articles of Confederation, and of these 
Virginia was the largest, stretching to the Great Lakes 
in the Northwest. 

At this time John Lynch, inspired, perhaps, by the 
thought of what New London might have been, but 
was not, conceived the idea of building a town on the 
hill over which the ferry road went. Accordingly he 
applied to the General Assembly for a charter, which 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 



23 



was granted him October, 1786, It was enacted "that 
forty-five acres of land, the property of John Lynch, 
and lying contiguous to Lynch's Ferry,* are hereby 
vested in John Clarke, Adam Clement, Charles Lynch, 
John Calloway, Achilles Douglass, William Martin, 
Jesse Burton, Joseph Stratton, Micajah Moorman, and 
Charles Brooks, gentlemen, trustees, to be by them, or 
any six of them, laid off in lots of half acre each, with 
convenient streets, and to establish a town by the name 
of Lynchburg." 

The first meeting of the trustees was held May 8, 
1787, at which meeting Kichard Stith was appointed 
to lay off the land. He did so according to the plan 
shown on the next page, which is a facsimile of an 
original one now in possession of Captain Charles M. 
Blackford. This plan was recorded at Campbell Court- 
house February 11, 1805. 

The half-acre lots were sold by the trustees for the 
benefit of Mr, Lynch, first at public auction and then 
at private sale. The trustees and the lot-owners had 
little idea of the place being much more than a town, 
and for that it was a good situation. In a heavy wood 
on the single hill called Lynchburg Hill, which sloped 
towards the river, surrounded by grand mountain 
scenery, it was a place of great natural beauty, and a 
situation both healthful and pleasant. Had the idea of 
a city entered the mind of the founder, a better place 
could have been chosen, but for his purpose the one hill 



*In Campbell county, which was formed from^ Bedford in 1784. 



^ 



T^ — r;:: — I Usi L.vdi >s-i>iJ^ 




^ Goyj. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 25 

was more than sufficient. Who knows when he plans 
but that he may plan more wisely than he thinks ? 

At first the growth of the town was slow. A tobacco 
warehouse and two or three stores were built outside of 
the town limits at the foot of the hill, but it was some 
time before a house was built on Second (or Main) street. 
The first store was opened by William Wilson, on what 
is now Jefferson street, between Eighth and Ninth, in 
1790. The house was afterward occupied by a man 
named Niger, and was called the Niger House. He 
was miller for John Lynch at the Lynchburg Mill in 
1795, which stood on Blackwater creek, at the dam 
under the present Sixth street bridge. The first ware- 
house built near here was across the river on the hill 
above the road leading to the ford. It was owned by 
John Lynch, and was called Madison Warehouse, from 
which it is supposed Madison took its name. From there 
the tobacco was lowered to the river by means of ropes. 

The first warehouse in the town was Spring Hill (or 
Spring) AVarehouse, which was built in 1791 on the 
corner of Sixth alley (Twelfth street) and Lynch street, 
where Bailey's shop used to be. The next house built in 
the town was on the corner of Second (Main) and Water 
(Ninth) streets, where Adams Brothers-Paynes Com- 
pany's office is. This was a small frame house, with 
its gable end fronting Second street, and a long porch 
on Water street. It was Hoyle's Tavern, and was later 
called Eagle Tavern — by some, from the reputation of 
the place, Bull Pup and Buzzard. 

There was one church, just beyond Fourth (Court) 



26 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE, 

street, between Tenth and Eleventh, which was situated 
in the wood near where Colonel Watts' residence is 
now. It was a frame house, one story high, eighteen by 
twenty-four feet, and was an English church, built in 
the early part of the reign of George III, about 1765. 
There were two special pews, one occupied by Judge 
Edmund Winston and the other by Major Samuel Scott. 
In 1802 the old church, then used as a school, burned 
down. In the grove which surrounded this church 
there was a graveyard of some size, bounded by what 
is now Tenth, Eleventh and Court streets and the branch 
below Clay. In later years many of the remains were 
removed to the Methodist graveyard. The writer re- 
members, when a boy, seeing many human bones thrown 
out when the foundation for the house corner Tenth and 
Court streets was being dug. When the workmen were 
digging the foundation for Mr. Wray's house, on the 
same lot, a large skeleton of a man was unearthed. 
Dr. Henry Latham said that from the size of the skull 
and the length of the bones of the leg, the man was 
seven feet tall. The bones were put back into their 
first resting place, and will remain there until the Last 
Day. I wonder what part this one took in the aifairs 
of the State or the building of the town ? 

In 1794 there was a great freshet, that did much 
damage to property on the river, but did not reach the 
village on the hill. 

The town continued to grow, and in June, 1798, the 
first paper was started. It was The Lynchburg Adver- 
tiser and Farmers Gazette, John Carter, printer ; price, 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 27 

fifteen shillings per annum, ten cents single copy ; issued 
weekly. How much we would prize a copy of this 
paper, but perhaps there is not one in existence. 

The Masons organized a lodge here, and called it 
Marshall Lodge, No. 39, A. F. & A. M. The charter 
was received November 8, 1793. Not many years 
afterward, they built, on the site where their hall now 
stands, a frame building, which was called Masons' 
Hall. In later years it was moved to Fifth street, and 
is now occupied by Colonel Forsberg as a residence. 

The first movement towards supplying the town with 
water was made in 1799, when the trustees granted the 
" Lynchburg Fire Company the privilege of sinking 
several wells on the main street, and of erecting pumps 
for the safety and convenience of the citizens." The 
well at Jamison's corner, which appeared to be Eighth 
street, caused a great deal of trouble, and finally had to 
be filled up. 

Christmas in these times was celebrated with great 
joy, and this year there was to be a special season of 
festivity, but it was suddenly changed to a time of 
mourning. A traveler from Ricliniond, stopping at 
the tavern, brought the sad news that General Wash- 
ington was no more. He had died at Mount Vernon 
December 14, 1799, now nearly two weeks ago. There 
was general mourning, and especially among the old 
soldiers who had followed him through the late war. 

Many are the things about the town up to this time 
that we should like to know, but cannot, for the old 
citizens who knew the traditions have gone to the silence 
of the tomb, and carried their Icnowledge with them. 



CHAPTER III. 

When the new century opened, nearly fourteen years 
had passed since the General Assembly granted a charter 
for a town at Lynch's Ferry. The earnest, quiet people 
of the village turned with inquisitive gaze toward the 
coming century ; but who could tell what the future 
held for the little place on the hill overlooking the 
beautiful James? The very situation seemed to give 
to the inhabitants industry and perseverance, which to 
this day have been the distinguishing characteristics of 
the people of Lynchburg. What the century had for 
the to^vn they knew as little as we know what the new 
century has for us ; but this they knew, that only by 
earnest, persistent and straightforward efforts could they 
secure the treasures held by the coming years. 

At this time there were about five hundred inhabi- 
tants in the town, which was not an inconsiderable force 
for the work which lay before them. 

An important factor in the growth of a place, and 
one upon which largely depends its social and material 
prosperity, is its religious life. As yet there was not a 
church within the town. Early in the year the Quakers 
of the place petitioned the South River Meeting to 
establish a meeting in Lynchburg. A committee was 
appointed to confer with the petitioners, which it did, 
and reported adversely to their request. The English 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 



29 



church was just beyond the town limits, and that had 
Ion 2- since gone out of use. It was not long, however, 
before the courageous and untiring Methodist circuit- 
rider found a place to preach. As far back as 1798, 
the preacher on the Bedford circuit had an appointment 
at the Quaker Meeting House, and shortly after its 
completion, he was preaching in Masons' Hall. In 
September, 1800, Bishops Francis Asbury and Richard 
Whatcoat, accompanied by William McKendree, Pre- 
siding Elder of the Kentucky District, which embraced 
the whole State of Kentucky, came to Lynchburg. In 
his journal Bishop Asbury thus speaks of his trip : 
« We rode from New Glasgow to Lynchburg, twenty 
miles. Samuel Mitchell had dinner prepared for the 
preachers at Mr. Miller's. I preached in Masons' Hall 
(a warm day and place) on Titus, II : 12." At this 
service Samuel K. Jennings, then a teacher at New 
London, but afterwards a prominent physician and 
preacher in Lynchburg, was ordained. He was the 
first preacher ever ordained in the town. 

The first Methodist society was organized in 1802 
by Samuel Mitchell, a local preacher, in his house on 
the farm afterwards owned by Judge William Daniel, 
Sr., now Daniel's Hill. Those who joined were Mrs. 
Barnal, Mrs. Rohr, and George Sullivan. The society 
did not thrive, for of the five hundred inhabitants, 
almost the only persons who claimed to be Christians 
were the few families of Quakers. 

In May, 1804, Lorenzo Dow, a very eccentric 
preacher, came and held a series of revival meetings in 



30 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

" Chestnut Grove," which was at the corner of Main 
and Eleventh streets, where the Norvell House stood. 
He says in his journal : " Hence I went circuitously to 
Lynchburg, where I spoke in the open air in what I 
conceived to be the seat of Satan's Kingdom. Lynch- 
burg was a deadly place for the worship of God. But 
my friends asked. What shall be done with the profits 
of your Chain (a religious tract), which they computed 
at five hundred dollars. I replied : I give the profits 
to build a brick chapel in Lynchburg for the Metho- 
dists, reserving only the privilege to preach in it when 
not occupied by them, and while my conduct shall con- 
tinue as exceptional as it is now." This, however, was 
not accepted by the Methodists, on account of the con- 
ditions. 

As a result of this meeting, Rev. Stith Mead reported 
to Bishop Asbury fifty accessions to the church. With 
this nucleus the society went to work to build a meeting 
house. December 2, 1805, George Sullivan and Sally 
Sullivan, in consideration of fifty-two pounds sterling, 
deeded to Stith Mead, Samuel K. Jennings, William 
Heath, William P. Martin, George Sullivan, Thomas 
Wiatt, John Schoolfield, William Blake, and James 
Fox, trustees for the Methodist Society, a piece of 
ground on Church street, between Tenth and Eleventh, 
for the purpose of building a church. The first meet- 
ing of the trustees was held at George Sullivan's house 
January 6, 1806. Stith Mead was chosen president; 
William Heath, secretary, and Thomas Wiatt, treasurer. 
The work was let to William P. Connell. The funds 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 31 

ran short, and Stith Mead, who was the leader of Meth- 
odism here, pledged his private property in order that 
the work might proceed. Before the year passed the 
Methodists were in their new meeting house, the first 
church built in Lynchburg. The house was built so 
hurriedly that in 1814 it had to be pulled down and a 
new one put in its place. The second building was put 
up to stand, and, though now nearly an hundred years 
old, is in good condition, having been converted into 
two tenements, one of which Dr. W. E. Pitman occu- 
pies. 

The history of this old church would be a volume 
by itself. There are many to-day who can recall the 
great sermons preached there, the noted revivals held, 
the interesting marriages, and the solemn funerals. We 
shall not leave it ; for as the story of Lynchburg is 
told, again and again will the old church appear. 

The town continued to grow, and on January 10, 
1805, the General Assembly passed "An act incor- 
porating the town of Lynchburg, and enlarging the 
same, adding thereto a number of half-acre lots already 
laid off by John Lynch." The first corporation court 
was held May 6, 1805, in Masons' Hall. The court 
was held by William Warwick, mayor ; Thomas Wiatt, 
recorder, and George D. Winston, Samuel J. Har- 
rison, Roderick Taliaferro and Meredith Lambert, al- 
dermen. William Norvell was appointed clerk, Josiah 
Leake, commonwealth's attorney, and John Davis, ser- 
geant. 

The court did not amount to a great deal without the 



32 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

jail, so beyond the town limits, just back of where the 
Courthouse stands, was erected a small brick building, 
one story high, which was the first prison. It could 
accommodate only a few prisoners, but for some years 
it proved sufficient for the town's needs. 

The Gazette did not continue long, and for a while 
there was no paper in Lynchburg. In October, 1805, 
the Lynchburg Star made its appearance. It was 
a weekly paper, four pages, twelve by eighteen inches, 
five columns on a page, owned and published by James 
Graham. Like most of the early papers, it was taken 
up with foreign news and advertisements, and gave 
little attention to what would most interest us, the local 
news. Some extracts from this paper, many copies of 
which are now in existence, will be read with interest. 
The editor's address, on the first anniversary, was as 
follows : 

"Lynchburg, Thursday, October 23, 1806. 

The Lynchburg Star is now one year old. . . . On occasions simi- 
lar to the present, usage has sanctioned annual addresses. At the 
conclusion or commencement of every year such are expected. From 
the Editor, on this occasion, a few words will be sufficient. The ex- 
perience of the past will be the best possible criterion whereby to 
estimate the probable future management and value of this paper. 
It shall be independent. Undismayed by any fear, and unbiassed by 
any party — a fair, honest and impartial narration of facts and cir- 
cumstances, with inferences and deductions, agreeable to the best 
lights of our understanding and judgment, and the narrow weekly 
limits allotted to us, have, and shall be, constantly exhibited. Un- 
awed, and unaided, by either Monk, or Minister, the Stai' shall be 
ever open to whatever way tend to support and confirm the just 
liberties of the world — the principles of genuine democracy — and 
improve and promote the condition and happiness of mankind." 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 



33 



As early as this the " fire bug " thrived in Lynch- 
burg, as is shown by the following : 

"400 Dollars Reward. 

"The above reward of 400 dollars is hereby offered for the detec- 
tion and prosecution to conviction of the villain or villains who, on 
Saturday night last, set fire to the house of Dr. Waddy Tate, on the 
back street (Church) in the town of Lynchburg, now occupied by 
Paxton & Houston, cabinet makers. On behalf of the citizens of 
Lynchburg, and in pursuance of their subscription. 

John Wiatt, 

AprU 9, 1806. Mayor." 

In this day of electricity and gas, we can scarcely 
appreciate the difficulties in securing light that the early 
inhabitants labored under. This advertisement was 
published as a valuable discovery : 

"A Wick that Will Not Cost a Man a Cent. — Take a leaf 
of mullein, let it get half dry, cut from its sides a quarter of an inch 
in breadth, put it in your lamp (lard oil was then used), and it will 
burn equally as well aa a cotton wick, and will suit to read and write 
by better than a candle, which must be often snuffed." 

It must be remembered that the candles spoken of 
were not such as we now see, but only cotton cords 
dipped in tallow and hung out until dry. 

In front of Indian Queen Tavern, which stood on 
Main street, between Seventh and Eighth, about where 
the Southern Railway offices are now, was the place 
where most of the slaves were sold. Nearly every 
week an advertisement like the following would appear : 

" Will be sold to the highest bidder, on Saturday, the 21st, before 
the door of Indian Queen Tavern, a Negro Man, who is an excellent 
waterman. Terms, one-half cash, and one-half in twelve months. 

Jesse Anderson, Adm." 



34 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Every paper had silhouettes of negroes running, and 
following it a description of the runnaway slave and a 
reward for his return. 

The arrival of the first elephant in Lynchburg caused 
a great deal of excitement. The novelty of the sight 
can be inferred from this notice which was published 
in the Star, headed by a rude picture of an elephant : 

"A Live Elephant 

To be seen at Charles Hoyle's Tavern, in the town of Lynchburg, on 
the 25th and 26th days of December, from 8 o'clock in the morning 
imtil sunset each day. 

The elephant, being not only the largest and most sagacious animal 
in the world, but the peculiar manner in which it takes its food and 
drink of every kind with its trunk, is acknowledged to be the great- 
est natural cm-iosity ever offered to the public. She will draw the 
cork from a bottle, and with her trunk will manage it in such a man- 
ner as to drink its contents, to the astonishment of the spectators. 
Will lie down and rise at command. 

She is between five and seven years old, and measures upward of 
fifteen feet from the end of her trunk to that of her tail ; ten feet 
round her body, and upward of six feet high. Admittance, twenty- 
five cents ; children, half price." 

Several proclamations by Thomas Jefferson, Presi- 
dent of the United States, occupy considerable space in 
the little paper. 

Lynchburg never lacked for patriotism, and when 
the Fourth of July came it was a day of great rejoicing. 
How the day was celebrated the following description 
from the Stai- will tell : 

"The Fourth of July at Lynchburg, 1806. 

The ever memorable Anniversary of American Independence, the 
Declaration of which is enregistered in the indelible History of the 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 35 

nation, was celebrated here, witli all animation and zeal, which ever 
becomes a free people to testify to the sacred charter of their hallowed 
rights. Such commemorations have the happiest effects. They ex- 
cite the sympathy of ages, and preserve forever the holy cause of 
freedom and humanity. 

The cannon's hollow roar, which re-echoed from the craggy cliffs 
on the banks of the James river, proclaimed the happy dawn. Cap- 
tain Cocke's artillery company performed the appropriate duties of 
the day. Their appearance was martial and their evolutions exact. 
The platoon firing and martial music afforded delight. An elegant 
barbecue was prepared for the occasion, and the evening closed with 
a ball at Mr. Ward's (Bell) Tavern." 

Early in its history Lynchburg began to turn its 
attention to education. In June, 1806, the Star pub- 
lished this notice : 

"The first wing of the Kev. James Tompkins' Academy, on 
Lynchburg Hill (Court street), will soon be completed. We are 
authorized to say that the Academy will be opened on the first day 
of November next, and that a competent teacher of the learned lan- 
guages, with other requisite assistants, will then be procured. Edu- 
cation is an object of primary importance, nor do we know of a place 
where a properly conducted academy is more wanted, or where it is 
presumed more probable good effects would result from such an insti- 
tution than in Lynchburg. In point of situation this is inferior to 
none for prospect, pure air, and spring water." 

The Rev. James Tompkins, a Presbyterian preacher, 
taught a small school here for several years, and 
occasionally preached, but never organized a church. 
Neither did he open the academy as announced, for on 
July 20, after a short illness, he passed away, leaving 
a widow and eight young children. The next day he 
was buried in " Lynchburg's New Burying Ground." 
His burial was attended by the largest concourse of 
people ever before witnessed in the town, and among 



36 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

them were all his scholars, who attended in a body and 
wore crape. His funeral services were conducted, 
November 1, by Kevs. James Mitchell and James Tur- 
ner, of Bedford county. 

The " New Burying Ground " spoken of above was 
what is now known as the Methodist, or City Cemetery. 
The graveyard at the Quaker Meeting House, and that 
on Court street, were the only ones near the city until 
March 7, 1806, when John Lynch gave the town an 
acre of land for the New Burying Ground. The first 
grave was opened in it July 5, 1806, and since then 
this silent city of the dead has been rapidly filling. 
Beneath its sod sleep many of Lynchburg's noblest 
sons and daughters. 

The town was again called upon to mourn the death 
of a prominent citizen, when, on August 13, Josiah 
Leake died. Although only twenty-eight, he was Com- 
monwealth's attorney and postmaster of the town. He, 
too, was buried in the " New Burying Ground." 

John Lynch gave notice October 1, 1806, that he 
would ask leave of the General Assembly to add the 
ground between First street and Blackwater creek to 
the town of Lynchburg, and in the same month George 
Cabell gave notice that he would petition the Assembly 
to establish a town on his land lying in the fork between 
Blackwater creek and James river, and also for right 
to establish a ferry to John Lynch's land. William 
Davis, Sr., informed the public that he would apply 
for permission to establish an inspector of tobacco on 
his lots in Lynchburg. This was the beginning of 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 37 

Friends' Warehouse. Among the few business adver- 
tisements that appeared were : Benjamin Essex, tailor ; 
Milby Cottingham, manufacturer of coaches and fash- 
ionable giggs ; Ed. Duffel, dry goods, groceries and 
rum ; Mrs. Ann Essex, just from Fredericksburg, milli- 
ner and mantua-maker ; Isaac Pidgeon, tanner ; George 
Roberts, blacksmith ; Richard Morris, attorney-at-law ; 
Dr. Thomas Humphreys, druggist, in "Tate's Brick 
Row." 

The streets of Lynchburg were in a fearful condition. 
The mud was so deep that in winter the tobacco rollers 
could scarcely get to the warehouses. Then wagons 
were little used to bring tobacco to market. Two 
spikes were driven in the centre of each end of the 
hogshead, a tongue was attached, and two horses hitched 
to it, and it was rolled to market. One planter said 
he had been " rolling " to this market for nine years, 
and the damage done to his hogsheads in the streets of 
Lynchburg had almost ruined him. 

But despite the disadvantages, 1807 found the town 
rapidly moving on towards cityhood ; in fact, John 
Davis, Jr., signed himself "Sergeant of the City of 
Lynchburg." 

In January, Thomas L. Clayton opened a school " in 
that airy and retired house on Lynchburg Hill." Stores, 
shops, offices and manufactories began to increase. All 
moved on well until January 1 5, when the whole place 
narrowly escaped destruction. The chimney of a three- 
story brick building caught fire, and the sparks were 
quickly communicated to the dry roof, but the fire was 



38 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

extinguished before much damage was done. Such was 
the dryness of the season and the inflammable and de- 
fenceless situation of the j)lace, that one fire would have 
meant the destruction of the whole village. 

One very strong proof of the growth of the town 
was the large increase of '' tobacco inspection," as it 
was then called. Mention has already been made of 
Spring Warehouse. In 1805 Dr. George Cabell built 
Blackwater Warehouse, on the site where the Southern 
freight depot now stands. It was a fine stone building, 
covered with slate. This same year John Lynch built 
two new brick warehouses — Union, or Lynch's, where 
the present warehouse of that name stands, and Liberty, 
which was on Lynch street, between Sixth and Seventh 
streets. In an advertisement of the latter the proprie- 
tor says : " Liberty Warehouse is in Lynchburg's little 
end, but to this tobacco rollers can have no possible 
objection, as it will be found on the very entrance into 
town and exclusive of some labor, whether in our streets 
people travel by land or by water." The same year, 
1805, William Martin built a warehouse corner Lynch 
and Tenth streets, and called it Martin's. At this time 
a grant had been given to Captain Rowland Jones for 
Planters', and also to William Davis, as mentioned, for 
Friends' Warehouse. 

Tobacco or no tobacco, an American village must 
have an election. It was a blessing of liberty to have 
elections often. The day in April arrived, and the 
freeholders elected Roderick Taliaferro, mayor ; Samuel 
J. Harrison, recorder ; William Warwick, Rowland 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 39 

Jones, James Stewart and John Lynch, aldermen ; 
Thomas Wiatt, George McDaniel, William Burd, John 
Schoolfield, William Davis and M. Lambeth, council- 
men. 

The wickedness of the town was proverbial, but one 
church was established and was doing a good work. 
The influence of the Methodist Meeting House was 
beginning to tell upon the people, so much so that the 
Virginia Methodist Conference was to be entertained 
here February 2, 1808, the first religious body of the 
kind ever meeting in Lynchburg. Bishop Asbury rode 
from North Carolina, and reached here the preceding 
Saturday. On Sunday he preached at the Meeting 
House to about six hundred hearers. Conference began 
Tuesday, and on each day there was preaching. Among 
those received on trial in the Conference this year was 
John Early. The reports showed that the preachers 
were nine hundred and seventy-eight dollars and twelve 
cents behind in their salaries — a good deal, when none 
received over one hundred dollars a year. Conference 
adjourned Saturday, and the afternoon of this day was 
spent " in serious and useful conversation on dress, pri- 
vate prayer, family prayer, rising early, quarterly meet- 
ings, class meetings, fasting, love feasts, sacraments, 
marriage rules, etc." 

In connection with this Conference, an amusing in- 
cident is told in reference to the Rev. Jesse Lee, a 
distinguished Methodist. Mr. Lee, retiring from the 
Conference room one day, desired to cross Third 
(Church) street to attend to some business. Not seeing 



40 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a " ford " or crossing anywhere, he stood debating 
whether he should give up his purpose or wade through 
the mud, which was knee deep. While in this study, 
John Charleston, a slave emancipated by Rev. Stith 
Mead, a stout, athletic negro, sexton of the church, and 
also a preacher, came up to Mr. Lee and, ascertaining 
his difficulty, proposed to carry him across on his back. 
The preacher, who weighed about two hundred and 
fifty pounds, accepted the oifer and mounted upon 
John's back. The negro staggered along under his 
burden until he had gotten nearly across, where the 
mud was deepest. Stopping for a moment, he dryly 
asked if he might set his burden down and rest. He 
gathered his strength and pressed on, and as he did so 
he turned his face up until he caught Mr. Lee's eye, and 
groaned out : " Oh, wretched man that I am, who shall 
deliver me from the body of this death?" Mr. Lee 
quickly replied : " You do groan, being burdened." 
Dry land at length was reached, and the two went 
walking up the street side by side, John a little muddy 
from the passage across. 

The Star was published until 1811, but at one time 
it was very abusive to Rev. Stith Mead, calling him " a 
hypocrite," " a devil," " an infamous wretch," " a con- 
temptible, vaporing, itinerant brawler," " a greater dis- 
grace to humanity than the most dissolute man in 
Lynchburg," and all of this because he boldly preached 
against the great wickedness of the town. Mr. Mead 
meekly bore this denunciation until April, 1808, he 
established another paper here, and called it The Press, 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 41 

It, too, was a weekly paper, four pages twelve by eighteen 
inches. It was edited and printed by Jacob Haas, and 
was fifteen shillings per annum. This paper, after 
several changes, was to see Lynchburg a city indeed. 
At this early date the facilities for getting news were very 
crude, the only method being by post. Richmond was 
the principal place from which the news came, and then 
only once a week, and sometimes once in two weeks, if 
the " testy mail boy," who for some reason did not like 
the Lynchburg merchants, did not choose to bring it. 
The people, however, were satisfied, for they knew of 
nothing better. 

One other institution of importance was established 
near the close of this decade — a market house. This 
was a small frame building, with only three stalls, which 
stood on Water street, near the main street. It seems 
to have been the property of John Lynch, Jr., for the 
treasurer reports paying him thirty-one dollars for rent 
of the market house. 

There was improvement in the moral condition of the 
town. Preaching was having its effect. On Whitsuntide, 
May 15, 1807, under the management of Stith Mead, a 
great camp-meeting was held in " Col. Edward Tate's old 
field near Lynchburg." This was the greatest gathering 
of people and preachers ever seen in this part of the 
country, and resulted in a great religious awakening. 
Another meeting that had a great effect upon Lyncliburg 
was that held in the Meeting House in the town the fall 
of 1809. Its influence was wide-reaching, and some of 
the best citizens were brought into the church at this time. 



CHAPTER IV. 

A CLOUD, scarcely tlie size of a man's hand, was 
slowly rising in the East. To some it meant nothing, 
to others it portended ill. Notwithstanding this, the 
town on the hill above the Ferry continued to move 
forward with steady pace. Buildings were continually 
going up and new industries starting. Planters' and 
Friends' Warehouses were completed this year and 
opened for " tobacco inspection." The " Town Hall" 
was awake to the needs of the growing corporation. 
The recollection of the village's narrow escape from fire 
was still vivid, and something must be done, else next 
time there might be no escape. In the fall of 1810 
the town bought a " fire engine," and paid five hundred 
and thirty dollars for it. We infer from what is said 
of the engine that it was a kind of hand pump, with some 
hose. In February, 1811, a fire company was organ- 
ized, and the engine, buckets, one hundred and eighty 
feet of ladders, six axes, eight fire-hooks, and sixty feet 
of hose, the town's outfit, was turned over to John 
Victor, John Thurman, and James Wade, a committee 
representing the company. The council also built a 
place for the engine at the lower end of the market, and 
one of the ladders was to be kept here, one at Friends', 
and one at Liberty Warehouse. 

Following soon after the purchase of the fire appa- 
ratus, was another move that was of as much import- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 43 

ance as anything clone since the place was begun — that 
was to supply the town with M'ater. The " watering 
committee," consisting of Samuel K. Jennings, John 
Stewart, and Will Norvell, which had been appointed 
a few months previous, made their report April 16. 
They recommended that tlie corporation arrange with 
John Lynch, Sr., to take water from the springs in 
his wood,* and to convey it by wooden pipes into the 
town, and to keep the pipes in good order forever. 
As a remuneration to Mr. Lynch, the town was to 
pay him " one equal fourth part of all the profits and 
emoluments accruing therefrom, excepting the water 
used for putting out fires." If the corporation failed to 
use it, it was to revert to Mr. Lynch or his heirs. 
The water was already conveyed by ditches, or races, 
along Horseford branch, so as to supply some portion 
of the town. Mr. Lynch requested that, in addition to 
the fourth part of the profits, he and his children be 
allowed to use the water free of cost. This was not 
granted, but the rest of the plan suggested by the com- 
mittee was adopted, and a committee appointed to see 
David Ross, Esq., and to secure from him the timber 
from which the pipes were to be made. This plan 
failed, and in December the council decided to abandon 
the water- works and to allow John Lynch, Jr., to con- 
duct water up Third (Church) street as far as Third 
alley (Eighth street) as a private enterprise, provided 



*Some of these springs, on the lot at the corner of Harrison and 
Sixth streets, arc still in use. 



44 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

he gave the town the water needed in time of fire. 
Lynch went to work at once, and before many months 
passed he had the wooden pipes laid along Horseford 
branch to Twelfth street, up Twelfth to Church, and 
up Church as far as Eighth. These pipes were only 
pieces of wood, with a three-inch hole bored through 
them, and joined with an iron band. As can be imag- 
ined, he derived a large revenue from his " water- 
works," but the town did not derive much benefit 
from them, so far as extinguishing fire was concerned, 
for the supply of water was not large enough. In 
August, 1813, the council decided to build a reser- 
voir. This was to be situated on Water street, just 
beyond the line of Church street, where the fountain 
now stands. The first plan was to have it twelve 
feet on each side and four or five feet deep, and to have 
four " fire hydrants " on Second (Main) street : one at 
Gait's corner, junction of Water street ; one at Davis' 
corner, junction of Second alley ; one at Moorman's 
corner, junction of First alley ; and one at Murrell's 
corner, junction of Third alley. This plan was changed, 
and it was finally decided just to build the reservoir at 
the foot of the hill on Water street. This reservoir, 
which was no more than a large wooden tank, nine feet 
deep, was completed in 1815. It cost six hundred 
dollars, and was not worth five dollars to the town. 
It was built on a brick foundation above ground, and 
never had more than four or five feet of water in it, 
and even then it leaked badly, notwithstanding the con- 
tractor " chinked and caulked it." This first reservoir 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 45 

proved a failure, and was afterwards removed as a 
nuisance. 

As yet the town had no courthouse, but held court 
in Masons' Hall, for which it paid sixty-seven dollars 
a year. This amount was paid April, 1811, and at the 
same time the clerk of the court was paid fifty dollars 
for two years' service. Judging by the salary, the 
work of the office must have been light. 

Lynchburg was not blessed with many poor people 
then, as can be seen from the annual disbursement for 
that purpose, wliich was as follows : " Old Kate, 1 85.34 ; 
old Violet, $42.50 ; old Oakley, $60.00." These pau- 
pers seemed to be well known, so that it was not neces- 
sary to describe them further. 

The method of holding elections at this time was 
novel. The council appointed commissioners, and the 
city sergeant was ordered to give notice on the second 
Saturday in April, by sending the bell around, in- 
forming all freeholdej^s and householders entitled to 
vote that the election of twelve common councilmen 
would be held at the courthouse (Masons' Hall) the 
next Monday, at 7 A. m. The following council, or 
common hall, was elected : William Davis, John School- 
iield, James Duffle, John Lynch, Jr., Roderick Talia- 
ferro, William Heath, William Norvell, and James 
Stewart. They recognized that there was much work 
to be done, and at once proceeded to do it. A stone 
bridge was built over Horseford branch at Poe's tan- 
yard, near the corner of what is now Clay and Twelfth 
streets. The deep gullies on Third street, between 



46 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

what is now Fifth and Sixth streets, were filled in, and 
a large pond was formed on the southwestern side, 
which had to be drained. Arrangements were also 
made to fill in the large pond back of Friends' Ware- 
house, which in earlier days had been a great place for 
frog and duck shooting. 

Some new ordinances were also passed. One de- 
clared war on the dogs and provided for a dog-catcher. 
Another prohibiting hogs from running at large. Wag- 
oners Avere forbidden to feed their horses in the streets, 
and signs could no longer be hung in the streets, " ex- 
cept where men and horses were entertained." The 
most interesting to us was that which prohibited persons 
from " cutting firewood on Third (Main) street, except 
with a saw, on account of the noise and the flying chips, 
which greatly disturbed the passers." The last law 
that we shall notice was that in regard to vagrants, or 
tramps, as we call them. This provided that a va- 
grant should be put upon the block and sold, for a 
stated length of time. The town was to buy all sold, 
at five dollars apiece, and put them to work on the 
streets and alleys. These ordinances give a good idea 
of the manners and customs of the town at that time. 

The usual Christmas frolics were going on when, on 
Thursday evening, January 2, 1812, the post-boy 
arrived with the mail from Richmond. He brought 
sad news, and it was not long before all in the town 
had heard the distressing story told in the Richmond 
paper. William Brown, a Scotchman, had been a citi- 
zen of the town for a number of years. He opened 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 47 

the first dry goods store on the northeast corner of 
" Ferry Road " and Second street, where the Western 
Union telegraph office now stands. (" Ferry Road " 
entered Main street, at what is now Seventh street, and 
proceeded from there diagonally across the squares to 
Court street, where it entered into Fifth street. It ran 
through what is now the back yard of P. A. Krise's 
lot, and between the kitchen and house occupied by the 
late Thomas E. Murrell. It took this course because 
of the deep ravine on Main and Church streets, be- 
tween Fifth and Sixth.) 

Brown was not only a merchant, but also a banker 
and agent for nearly the entire country trading here. 
He was one of the leading citizens, and had the confi- 
dence of all. In December he went to Richmond on 
a business trip, and on the night of the 26th he attended 
the fatal theatre, and was burned to death. The news 
of the burning of this theatre caused universal sorrow. 
The Richmond Standard of December 27, 1811, gives 
the following account of it : 

" Last night the play-house in this city was crowded with an un- 
usual audience. There could not have been less than six luindred 
persons in the house. Just before the conclusion of the play, the 
scenery caught fire, and in a few minutes the whole building was 
wrapped in flames. It is already ascertained that sixty-one persons 
were devoured by that most terrific element. The editor of this 
paper was in the house when the ever-to-be-remembered, deplorable 
accident occurred. He is informed that the scenery took fire in the 
back part of the liouse, by the raising of a chandelier ; that the boy 
who was ordered by some of the players to raise it, stated that if he 
did so the scenery would take tire, when he was commanded in a 
peremptory manner to hoist it. The boy obeyed, and the fire in- 



48 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

stantly communicated to the scenery. This unfortunately happened 
at a time when one of the performers was playing near the orchestra, 
and the greatest part of the stage, with its horrid danger, was ob- 
scured from the audience by a curtain. 

"The flames spread with almost the rapidity of lightning, and 
the fire falling from the ceiling upon the performer was the first 
notice the audience had of their danger. Even then many supposed 
it a part of the play, and were a little time restrained from flight by 
a cry from the stage that there was no danger. The performers and 
their attendants in vain endeavored to tear down the scenery ; the 
fire flashed in every part of the house with a rapidity horrible and 
astonishing ; and, alas ! gushing tears and unspeakable anguish de- 
prived me of utterance. The editor, having none of his family 
with him, and not being far from the door, was among the first who 
escaped. 

"No words can express his horror when, on turning round, he 
discovered the whole building to be in flames. There was but one 
door for the greatest part of the audience to pass. Men, women and 
children were pressing upon each other, while the flames were seizing 
upon those behind. The editor went to the different windows, which 
were very high, and emplored his fellow-creatures to save their lives 
by jumping out of them. Those nearest the windows, ignorant of 
their danger, were afraid to leap down, while those behind them 
were seen catching on fire, and writhing in the greatest agonies of 
pain and distress. At length those behind, urged by the pressing 
flames, pushed those who were nearest to the windows, and the peo- 
ple of every description began to fall one upon another, some with 
their clothes on fire, some half roasted. Oh, wretched me ! oh, 
afflicted people 1 Would to God I could have died a thousand deaths 
in any shape, could individual suffering have purchased the safety of 
my friends, my benefactors, of those whom I loved I . . . The 
editor, with the assistance of others, caught several who leaped from 
the windows. One lady jumped out when all her clothing were on 
fire. He tore them burning from her, stripped her of her last rags, 
and, protecting her nakedness with his coat, carried her from the fire. 
Fathers and mothers were deploring the loss of their children ; chil- 
dren the loss of their parents ; husbands lamenting their lost com- 
panions ; wives were bemoaning their burnt husbands. The people 
were seen wringing their hands, beating their heads and breasts, and 



LYNCHBUIIG AND ITS PEOPLE. 49 

those that had secured themselves seemed to suffer greater tonnenta 
than those enveloped in the flames. 

"Oh, distracting memory ! Who that saw this can think of it 
again, and yet retain his senses ! Do I dream? No, no ! Oh, that 
it were but a dream. My God 1 who that saw his friends and near- 
est connections devoured by fire, and lying in heaps at the door, will 
not regret that he ever lived to see such a sight ? The loss of a hun- 
dred thousand friends on the field of battle could not touch the heart 
like this. Enough. Imagine what cannot be described." 

News like this was enough to pkmge the town into 
gloom, without the burning of one of its prominent 
citizens, and of relatives and friends of our people. 

This was the time of numerous public improvements 
in Lynchburg. The jail had given the " Common 
Hall " much trouble ; " it was remote from town and 
in a shattered condition." A committee was therefore 
appointed to purchase from William Davis sixty-six 
feet of ground, running back eighty-two and one-half 
feet on Water street, between Second and Third streets, 
for a new jail. The committee reported that they had 
bought the property at ten dollars a front foot. After 
the purchase, it was decided not to build at once, but 
to repair the old jail, and continue to use it. 

There was another need that pressed itself upon the 
council, the need of a courthouse, Mason's Hall being 
inadequate. At the meeting of August 29, 1812, a 
committee was appointed and instructed to have a court- 
house built on the public square given by John Lynch, 
where the present court house now stands. The com- 
mittee decided to build a house twenty-four by thirty- 
two feet, with the side on Fourth (Court) street, but 



50 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the citizens thought that too small, so it was enlarged 
to forty by twenty-four feet, and built of brick, two 
stories high, with a shingle roof. The building was 
completed early in 1813. It was outside of town, and 
the question was raised whether an election held in this 
courthouse would be legal. To remedy this, the Gen- 
eral Assembly was petitioned to enlarge the town, which 
it did February 9, 1813, adding thereto ^^that lot of 
ground conveyed by John Lynch, Sr., to the corporation 
qf the town of Lynchburg for a public square, and on 
which said corporation hath erected a courthouse and 
jail." 

For a town that aspired to be a city some day, so 
important a place as a market ought to have more room 
than three stalls ; that savored too much of monopoly. 
The council viewed it in this light, and in April 
appointed William Norvell, James Stewart and Robert 
Morris a committee to build a new market house on the 
southwestern side of Second street, on Water street. 
The house was fifty feet long, sixteen wide and eight 
high, and was completed the next year, 1814, when 
the old one was sold, and ordered to be pulled down in 
three days. The town was proud of this building for 
the first and last time. The Press of August 11 thus 
speaks of it : 

" Our new market house is finished. We fondly anticipated the 
good effects from the erection of this building. The stalls rented on 
Tuesday last for $138. Two were left vacant for the accommodation 
of those who bring things from the country. There will be no more 
tiresome trapesing from door to door inquiring who wants to buy. 

" We shall be glad to see some gentlemen in the market-gardening 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 51 

business. It is certainly not humiliating for a rich man to ofTer the 
richest products of his soil for the accommodation of his neighboring 
townsmen, especially when he has an abundance, and gets a good 
price for them." 

That friend of the orderly and foe of the disorderly, 
that had already given the town fathers anxious care, 
like Banquo's ghost, would not down. What must we 
do about the jail, was still the question. This question 
was decided at the June meeting, 1814, when a new 
jail was ordered built on the hill back of the court 
house. It was to be " two stories high, sixteen feet 
square, eight feet pitch, of the best oak logs, nine by 
twelve inches, the joists and sleepers of like dimensions, 
lined with oak plank two inches thick, well spiked, and 
the logs well secured on the inside with iron bars, set 
upon a good foundation near the ground." It was soon 
completed, and the old brick jail sold for eighty dollars. 
The property bought from William Davis, on Water 
street, was also sold. Such a jail this was ! Two rooms, 
one above the other, with no fireplace, and small open- 
ings called windows. The lower room was used for the 
worst criminals, and the upper room for disorderly 
persons and a place for temporary confinement for the 
insane ; and to add to the horrors of the rude prison, 
there stood near by a whipping post and a pillory. 

Other things were going on at this time besides 
public improvements. The cloud that appeared at 
the beginning of the decade had grown larger and 
larger, until the storm broke upon the people, and war 
was finally declared with England in June, 1812. 



52 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Altliough this war was largely a naval fight, yet its 
influence was far-reaching. Business was depressed, 
and the people's thoughts were turned to the war. The 
weekly papers were eagerly looked for, to hear the 
news, and there was great rejoicing when a United 
States ship was successful. The citizens realized that 
the war was coming near home when the news was 
received that the British had attacked Washington and 
burned the White House and a portion of the Capitol. 
The next move was thought to be southward through 
Virginia. Lynchburg stirred itself and began at once 
to prepare to send men to the front. La^vyers, teachers 
and business men began to give notices like these : 

' ' During absence from home in service for my country, my son, 
James Garland, will attend to my professional business, and in case 
of difficulty, where a client will wish aid of additional counsel, any 
gentleman at the bar not otherwise engaged will befriend an absent 
member. Hudson M. Garland." 

' ' During my absence on business for my country, M. Hughes 
will attend to my business. Wm. Owen." 

Captain Samuel J. Wiatt had been getting his com- 
pany, the Lynchburg Rifles, ready for some time, and 
in the summer of 1814 they left for Norfolk to enlist. 
Captain James Dunnington had also recruited a com- 
pany here, the Lynchburg Artillery, and they entered 
the service at Camp Holly.* There were no means of 
transportation and the men had to march to the place 
of rendezvous. 

Despite the business depression incident to war, the 



* For official roster of these companies, see Appendix. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 



53 



progress of the town continued unchecked. The cor- 
porate limits were extended February 9, 1814, to 
Harrison street. Already the town had felt the need 
of a bank, and this year two were organized, the 
Farmers and the Exchange Bank of Virginia. The 
Farmers Bank published this notice: 

"The Lynchburg branch of the Farmers Bank of Virginia will 
begin the first Wednesday in August. Wednesday will be discount 
day. Paper for discount must be in before 3 p. m. Tuesday, and 
must have two good names, one a resident of Lynchburg or within a 
mile of the town. Fortunatus Sydnok, Cashier." 



The directors were, for the Farmers 



Charles Johnson, 
William Morgan, 
William Mitchell, 
William Davis, Sr., 
William Davis, Jr. 

For the Exchange : 

William Norvell, 
William J. Lewis, 
William Warwick, 
William Irvin, 
Colonel Daniel Brown. 



A. Jamison, 
George Cabell, 
C. Anthony, 
Kobert Morris, 



John Camm, 
J. J. Cabell, 
Thomas Wiatt, 
James Stewart, 



J. Bullock, 
J. G. Moorman, 
John LjTich, 
Dr. Graham, 



Charles Clay, 
W^illiam Kadford, 
H. Davis, 
James Duffel. 



Many of the citizens felt that they would have sj)ecial 
and immediate use for the banks, into which they could 
put the fortune they expected to get by the turn of the 
wheel, for the lottery agents advertised in every paper 
the fortunes that could be made in a day. Truly, this 
was the day of lotteries. Here were represented the 
Washington Monument Lottery (Baltimore), the Board 
of Health Lottery and the Trinity Church Lottery of 



54 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

New York, the New London Academy Lottery, and 
many others. The last named proposed to give one- 
third of their proceeds to the town for the purpose of 
paving the main street from Planters' Warehouse to 
Sixth alley, but the council at once refused it. 

In August of this year the Lynchburg Bible Society 
was organized, with Rev. W. S. Reid, president ; Joe 
Carson, corresponding secretary ; and John M. Gordon, 
secretary and treasurer. At first the society was small, 
but during its long existence it grew to be a potent 
factor in the moral life of Lynchburg. 

Early in the new year, news was received that sent 
a thrill of gladness through the hearts of the people of 
the town. It was announced through the following 
extra : 

The Press Extra. 

Lynchburg, Friday Morning, 4 o'clock, 

17th Feb., 1815. 
By an express (arrived this morning at 1 o'clock, left Richmond 
on Wednesday evening at 2 o'clock) we have the satisfaction to an- 
nounce to our readers the following Glorious News : 

' ' We have the pleasing satisfaction to announce to you that the 
Preliminaries of Peace between Great Britain and this country 
have certainly been signed. Fox & Richardson." 

Another letter, of the same date, from Richmond : 

" An account from Fredericksburg, which reached here this morn- 
ing, informs of a treaty between this country and Great Britain, 
having been received at Washington, the account is confirmed by 
many of character. Anderson & Blair." 

An express from Alexandria (left that place on the 13th instant) 
to William Morgan, of this place (Lynchburg), adds the following 
particulars : 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 55 

"The Preliminaries of Peace between this country and England 
was signed at Ghent on the 25th December, which news we have by 
an arrival at N. York last Saturday (11th February)." 

When this was issued the Virginia Methodist Con- 
ference was in session here in the new meeting house, 
which had not yet been completed. Bishops Asbury 
and McKendree were present, and John Early was 
secretary. When Conference adjourned, the preachers 
carried the good news to nearly every country place in 
the State. 

The immediate result of peace was the advance in 
the price of tobacco, wheat and all kinds of produce. 
Then the soldiers began to return. The Lynchburg 
Kifles reached here in March, and the citizens gave 
them a public dinner in honor of their return. 

One of the interesting events in connection with the 
war, so far as Lynchburg was concerned, was that 
which took place here the latter part of April. It was 
learned that a very distinguished man would pass 
through the town on his way to Washington. He was 
expected to stop at " Poplar Forest," and from there 
Mr. Jefferson would accompany him. Mr. Jefferson 
was here frequently, so it was not his visit, but that of 
the hero with him, for which the people were preparing. 
The houses were decorated, the military companies were 
out in full uniform, and the streets were crowded with 
people. A committee had been sent out on the Forest 
road to meet them. The cannon on the hill began to 
boom, and every eye was turned towards West street, 
to catch the first glimpse of the hero of New Orleans. 



56 LyNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Soon General Andrew Jackson, sitting in a four-horse 
vehicle by the side of Mr. Jefferson, entered the town, 
and was escorted to the Town House, or courthouse, 
where Mr. Jefferson, the mayor and some of the alder- 
men, in short speeches, welcomed him to Lynchburg. 
From here they proceeded to Bell Tavern, which stood 
where Dr. Daniel Langhorne now lives, and which was 
afterwards moved to Madison street, near Eighth. In 
the afternoon a large public dinner was given at Mar- 
tin's Warehouse in honor of the distinguished guest. 
This was attended by all the principal gentlemen of the 
town and vicinity, and was presided over by Mayor James 
Stewart. Among the many toasts was this one, offered 
by Mr. Jefferson : " Honor to the man who has filled 
the measure of his country's glory." At night a fashion- 
able ball was given at Bell Tavern. Early next morn- 
ing, the two distinguished men crossed the ferry and took 
up their journey towards Washington. While at the 
tavern many visitors called. When nearly all had left, 
the door was pushed open and two boys, about seven 
years old, peeped in. "What do you want?" asked 
Mr. Jefferson. " We want to see Jackson and Jeffer- 
son," said the oldest. The door was opened and the 
boys invited in. They chatted merrily for a while 
and left. One was the son of Mr. Ward, the tavern- 
keeper, and the other was William Allen, afterwards 
United States Senator and Governor of Ohio. 

At this time Lynchburg did not lack for j)hysicians 
and schools. Mention was made in the papers of Dr. 
James Saunders, Dr. Cornelius Baldwin, Jr., Dr. S. 



LYNCH BUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 57 

K. Jennings, Dr. William Leftwich and Dr. R. B. 
Tindall. Joab Watson gave notice that he had estab- 
lished an English academy, John and Sarah Pryor had 
a femal3 school, and Thomas A. Holcombe a school for 
boys. Mrs. Mary B. Deane taught a female school, as^ 
did Rev. William S. Reid. At these schools, notably the 
last, many of the leading people of the town received 
their education. 

The new Methodist meeting house was now finished, 
and a gift was made the church which was novel in 
Lynchburg and novel in Methodism — a bell. The in- 
scription on the bell was : " Presented by the Ladys 
of Lynchburg a present to the Methodist Society. 
1815. Ed. Hedderley, Philadelphia, Fecit." The bell 
was made after the pattern of the Liberty bell, though 
smaller. It is now in possession of Centenary church. 
For some years the Methodists had the only church 
in the town, but this could not be said any longer. 
Rev. AV. S. Reid succeeded Rev. James Tompkins as 
a teacher, and also as a Presbyterian preacher. He 
preached as opportunity offered, and soon had a nucleus 
for a church. He gave a portion of the land adjoining 
his school, on Second street, and went to work to build 
a Presbyterian church. His efforts were successful, 
and in a short while a two-story brick church, with a 
high steeple, was dedicated to the worship of God. 
The church stood on the site of the present church on 
Main street, near Thirteenth, The elders of the new 
organization were John R. D. Payne, James Stewart, 
and John M. Gordon. 



68 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The inhabitants of the city of the dead were increasing 
in proportion to the increase of Lynchburg's populacion, 
and the "new burying ground" was not large enough. 
Application was made to John Lynch, and lie gave 
another acre of ground adjoining the first one given. 
It was given on condition that if it ceased to be used 
for a graveyard it should revert to him and his heirs. 
Many advocated moving the burying ground, because, 
they said, the ground was rocky, the graves on the hill 
soon filled with water, and the springs and wells which 
took their rise near there were contaminated. Mr. 
Lynch offered to give ten acres on the hill across the 
branch if this property were returned to him. The 
council voted down the proposition to move the ceme- 
tery, and ordered that the two acres be enclosed " with 
locust posts and a rail fence four and a half feet high, 
the rails sawed and mortised in the posts." 

Lynchburg not only cared for its own, but it was 
always ready to help a sister city in distress. In July 
of this year a disastrous fire occurred in Petersburg, 
which rendered a number of people homeless and pen- 
niless. Application was made to Lynchburg for help 
for the afflicted people, and it immediately responded 
with one thousand, one hundred and sixty-seven dollars, 
which was sent John Osborne, treasurer of the fund. 
This was a liberal contribution, when it is remembered 
that the population, including slaves and all, was 
scarcely three thousand. When the census was taken the 
next year, June, 1816, there were only three thousand 
jind eighty-seven inhabitants, distributed as follows : 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 59 

White males over sixteen, 674 

AVhite males under sixteen, 343 

White females over sixteen, 379 

AVhite females under sixteen, 369 

Free persons of color, 256 

Slaves, 1,056 

3,087 

Insurance was not known here at this time, but 
there was something better, the liberality of the people. 
This was shown on many occasions, one of which is 
especially worthy of note. When the dwelling of Joe 
Nicholas, a poor man, was destroyed this year by fire, 
the people responded at once, and presented him with 
thirteen hundred dollars with which to build him a 
new house. 

The following year, 1816, was a year of great dearth. 
The beginning was promising, but the ending was 
gloomy. It was known by many as the " year without 
a summer." April was a month of storms, and in May 
the vegetation that had budded was frozen. There 
was frost and snow in June ; in July and August 
ice formed in exposed places, and September and Oc- 
tober seemed to have taken the place of December. In 
consequence of this the crops all failed, and hard 
times followed. 

This condition of affairs did not last long, for when 
the next year came it brought prosperity with it. One 
of the most interesting events of the year was the 
organization, in April, 1817, by John Thurmau, George 
R. Walker, and James McGeehee, of the first Sunday- 



60 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

school in Lynchburg, and one of the first in the S.ate. 
This school, which was under the auspices of the Meth- 
odist Society, was also notable in that four of the boys 
who went out from it became United States Senators : 
William Allen, of Ohio ; Allen G. Thurman, of Ohio ; 
Isaac P. Walker, of Wisconsin , and one from Missis- 
sippi. It started with twenty scholars, who were 
divided into three classes, and continued until cold 
weather. In April of next year it began again with 
two hundred scholars, and continues to-day. 

May of this year saw another public improvement : 
two clerk's offices, one-story brick buildings, were 
erected on the upper and lower side of the courthouse. 
One was for the Hustings and the other for the Superior 
Court. 

Some of the citizens saw a great future for Lynch- 
burg, and especially if the river could be better utilized 
for transportation purposes. Many had been thinking 
on the subject, and in August, 1817, the Lynchburg 
paper put forth a bold proposition. To many it was 
only a dream of an impractical mind ; to others it 
was a movement fraught with much interest to this 
town and to the whole State. It was proposed to con- 
nect the East and West by means of the James, Ka- 
nawha, and Ohio rivers, so that boats drawing eight 
feet of water could make the trip. The rivers were to 
be dug out and dams built across them at certain places, 
and locks were to be put in the dams, so that boats 
could ascend from one level to another. The paper 
urgently called upon the citizens to arouse themselves 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 61 

and urge the adoption of this plan. A long petition 
was gotten up here and presented to the next legisla- 
ture. Several bills were proposed and the matter was 
warmly debated, but nothing came of it at this session, 
except to have the James river dug out at several places 
so that the shallow boats could more easily pass. This 
was called sluice navigation. This plan may not have 
been feasible, but it was not altogether worthless, for 
it led the way for a canal in later years nearly over the 
same route. 

Even now river transportation was a considerable 
business. There were large fleets of batteaux near the 
ferry landing that plied between here and Richmond. 
The boats were forty or fifty feet long, two feet deep, 
and from four to five feet wide. It took them a week 
to go to Richmond, and about ten days to return. It 
usually took three slaves to manage them, and they 
were furnished with sixty pounds of bacon and two 
bushels of meal for the trip. In addition to " finding " 
the hands, one dollar per hundred pounds of freight 
was charged. Dr. Bagby thus speaks of the batteaux : 
" If a man ever gloried in his calling, the negro bat- 
teauman was that man. His was a hardy calling, de- 
manding skill, courage and strength in a high degree. 
I can see him now striding the plank that ran along 
the gunwale to afford him a footing, his long iron-shod 
pole trailing in the water behind him. Now he turns, 
and after one or two ineffectual efforts to get his pole 
fixed in the rocky bottom of the river, secures his pur- 
chase, adjusts the upper part of the pole to the pad at 



62 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

his shoulder, bends to his task, and the long, but uot 
ungraceful, bark mounts the rapids like a sea-bird 
breasting the storm. His companion on the othrr side 
plies the pole with equal ardor, and between uhe two 
the boat bravely surmounts every obstacle, be it rocks, 
rapids, quicksands, hammocks, what not. A third 
negro at the stern held the mighty oar that served as a 
rudder. A stalwart, jolly, courageous set they were, 
plying the pole all day, hauling in to shore at night 
under the friendly shade of a mighty sycamore, to rest, 
eat, to play the banjo, and to snatch a few hours of 
profound, blissful sleep." 

They carried down hogsheads of tobacco, wheat, corn, 
potatoes, hides, and such other things as the farmers 
sent to market. The up-cargo consisted of sacks of 
salt, bags of coffee, barrels of sugar, cakes, molasses, 
and whisky. To these the boatmen helped themselves, 
and supplemented by fresh fish, eggs, buttermilk, ash 
cake and fried bacon, made choice living for the happy 
crew. 

Until the canal was built these boats did nearly all 
of the carrying business between here and Richmond. 
After that was built they passed away, and even in late 
years we have seen one nearly buried in the sand, only 
an end' of it showing, and that fast going to decay, 
enough to tell of the days of long ago. 

As yet there was no Episcopal church here, and since 
the abandonment of the old English church on Fourth 
street, no Episcopal preacher visited here until Septem- 
ber 14, 1817, when Rev. Richard Channing Moore, of 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 63 

Kichmond, bishop of the Episcopal church, preached in 
the Methodist meeting house. When he came in with 
his surplice on, the congregation stared at him with 
amazement. Only a few had prayer-books and could 
go thro jgh the service. One of these was an English- 
man, who was in the gallery. He responded loudly, 
and looked upon the congregation below with a patron- 
izing air, as if he would assure them that he pitied them 
in their ignorance. 

At this early day there was, what was unusual in 
many places, the same catholic spirit among the denom- 
inations that has always been noticeable in the churches 
of Lynchburg. The Baptists had been preaching oc- 
casionally in Mason's Hall, and in July, 1816, they 
obtained permission to preach in the courthouse, but 
when Rev. Luther Rice, agent for the Baptist Foreign 
Missionary Society, came to town, it was desired that a 
better place be secured for him. The Presbyterians and 
Methodists cheerfully offered their meeting houses, and he 
preached at one in the morning and the other at night. 
He took a collection at each place and raised, what was 
then thought a goodly sura, two hundred and four dollars. 

There were two other interesting developments in 
the history of the church life of the town this year, 
1818. In April the Methodist Sunday-school was 
reorganized, with R. Wilkeson president, and William 
Burd, John Victor, Jacob Jordan, John Thurman, 
Samuel Bransford, and John Carson, managers. The 
Sabbath-school society of the Presbyterian church was 
organized in the school room of Rev. R. H. Anderson, 



64 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and met May 3. One dollar constituted a membei: 
and ten dollars a life member, liev. W. S. Reid, pres- 
dent; Rev. R. H. Anderson and John R. D. Pa^ ne, 
vice-presidents ; John M. Gordon, secretary and .,reas- 
urer ; and with the above-named officers, StepheK Cook, 
John Henson and James Stewart composed the board 
of directors. The school was divided into male and 
female departments, and each department was divided 
into four classes : First, alphabetical, monosyllabic 
and dissyllabic ; second, trisyllabic and polysyllabic ; 
third, first reader ; fourth, second reader. Each scholar 
was required, in addition to the other lessons, to mem- 
orize verses of Scripture, hymns and the catechism. In 
both of these schools the principal part of the teaching 
was reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic, with as 
much of the Bible as could be taught when the other 
lessons were over. 

The future of the town seemed brighter now than it 
had ever been. Last year there were two much-needed 
improvements : September 1, the tavern at the corner 
of Main and Sixth streets had been improved and opened 
as the City Hotel, and on November 1, the Franklin 
Hotel, built by Samuel J. Harrison, corner of Main and 
Eleventh streets, was opened by Charles Hoyle. This 
was the leading hotel of the place, and continued as such 
after its name was changed to the Norvell House. In 
April of this year the Lynchburg and Salem Turnpike 
Company was organized, and on March 27, John Lynch 
and others began building a toll bridge across the river 
where the present bridge now stands. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 65 

Thes^ improvements were as nothing in comparison 
with whtit was to follow during this memorable year. 
Charles Williams secured permission from the General 
Assembly February 3, 1818, to establish a warehouse 
near the town of Lynchburg. This was the first step in 
the development of a great scheme he had in mind. He 
intended to dig out Horseford branch and put in locks 
at the point where Hurt's mill now stands, so that 
boats could come up to Main street and load and 
unload. He built arches over the branch near Main 
street and erected thereon a large warehouse. On what 
is now Elm avenue he erected a large brick residence, 
and on the present Main street, near Fourteenth, he built 
a three-story brick house which was to be the bank of 
AVilliamsburg, as this place, which was beyond the 
corporate limits, was then called. 

The people looked upon the plan with favor and 
expected from it large results. Land around Williams- 
burg began to increase in value, and before long 
Lynchburg was on a boom. New streets were blazed, 
for beyond Fourth street nearly all was wood ; new 
enterprises were projected, and all pointed to a large 
and immediate growth of the town. Land here was 
as high as on Broadway, New York, and, in truth, 
many thought Lynchburg would outstrip New York 
in the race for the position of chief city in the United 
States. Some idea of the great value of land at this 
time can be formed from the prices a few lots brought. 
The half acre of unimproved land on the corner of Fifth 
and Jackson streets, where John R. McDaniel lived, 



66 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was sold for two thousand, five hundred dollars, a lot 
on the corner of Court and Ninth streets for twenty 
thousand dollars, and one on the corner of Church and 
Fifteenth streets for fifteen thousand dollars. 

This state of affairs continued only a few months. 
The fate of booms was the fate of this one ; it had its 
day and ceased to be. The Williams project failed, 
the James kept within its banks, and many citizens, 
before prosperous, were now ruined. Financial trouble 
was everywhere visible. The Farmers Bank had been 
greatly injured. Charges were brought against the 
directors " for misapplying the funds of the bank for 
the purpose of giving a fictitious and unnatural value 
to real estate in and about the town of Lynchburg." 
The matter was brought before the legislature, and 
finally adjusted without much injury to the bank. 

Even out of the boom some good came. Main street 
was paved from Fifth to Twelfth, at a cost of five 
thousand, two hundred and twenty-four dollars ; the 
Press was changed September 21 to the Lynchburg 
Press and Public Advertiser, and issued semi- weekly ; 
William DufFey announced that he would publish a new 
paper, the Herald, but it seems that it went the way of 
the boom. The most important movement of all during 
the time of the boom was the effort to get the University 
here. The commissioners were shown several sites, 
and of these the one on Amherst heights, to the left as 
you go over, was preferred. At one time there was 
some prospect of getting it, but when the commissioners 
reported to the legislature, Lynchburg had lost heart on 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 67 

account of its great losses, and when the bill came up 
for its passage only Lexington, Staunton and Central 
College in Albemarle were proposed. In January, 
1819, the bill locating it at Central College passed both 
houses, jand Charlottesville was to have what Lynch- 
burg might have had. 

Social life at this time was interesting ; the people 
were not too sad to enjoy the entertainments and par- 
ties that were given. Among the principal entertain- 
ments were those given by the Thespian Society, which 
was composed of many of the leading young men, who 
had associated themselves together for the purpose of 
presenting certain plays. It was thought the thing for 
every educated young gentleman to take part in these 
plays. On December 8, 1818, they presented in J. & P. 
Labby's brick building, corner First street and Third 
alley, "Antonio, or How to Die for Love." The ad- 
mission was one dollar. Sometimes these plays were 
presented in the theatre, a little frame building on 
Third street, opposite the Franklin Hotel 

When the year 1819 came there were hopeful signs. 
In January Robert Morris, Treasurer of Lynchburg 
Toll Bridge Company, declared a dividend of two per 
cent. The town was again extended in March, south- 
west as far as Twelfth street (now Monroe), southeast 
to Sixth alley (Twelfth street) and northeast to Eleventh 
alley (Third street). The town was also divided into 
two wards — Lynch's, or First ward, which was all 
that part of the town below First alley from Lynch to 
Monroe street, and Henry, or Second ward, which was 



68 LYNCHBURG AND IIS PEOPLE. 

all that part above First alley. It was during this 
year that the free bridge was built, from the foot of 
Lovers' Leap to a point this side of where the water- 
works dam now is. The people congratulated them- 
selves that the boom lasted no longer, and thus went to 
work to retrieve their losses. 

Up to this time the Baptists had had no regular pas- 
tor. This year Rev. John S. Lee took charge of the 
work and continued to preach in the courthouse. His 
membership was small and unable to give him a support, 
so he worked at his trade as a carpenter, and at the same 
time faithfully tended his little flock. The ordinance 
of baptism was not often administered, and when it 
was Little river, that branch of the river that flows 
into water-works canal, was the place. The summer 
of this year great excitement was created when it was 
announced .that Miss Maria Gray, an elderly lady, was 
to be baptized in the river. Mrs. Cabell thus describes 
the scene : " On a bright, lovely Sabbath morning, pre- 
vious to the hour of worship, the solemn ordinance 
took place, and the sweet rural scenes on the banks of 
the river, and the rare enjoyment of gathering blue 
bottles and other wild flowers, is still remembered with 
pleasure. Though we had been accustomed to seeing 
this venerable lady almost every week of our then 
brief life at that period, yet, when the carriage was 
seen in the distance bringing her to the place of bap- 
tism, such was the excitement that a general rush took 
place to the water side in unavailing effort to get the 
first glimpse of her as she descended from the convey- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 69 

ance, and those who could not get near consoled them- 
selves by a minute examination of the hack and driver, 
which they saw every day, as it was one of the two 
best hacks of which Lynchburg boasted." 

The last event of this decade that claims our atten- 
tion was that which took place December 6, an act of 
humanity in enlarging the prison metes and bounds. 
It was the custom at this time to imprison men for 
debt, and, to relieve the unfortunate persons from con- 
tact with the prisoners and confinement in the jail, 
they were allowed to go at will within certain bounds 
fixed by law. The bounds had been rather narrow, so 
at this time they were enlarged so as to take in the 
Methodist meeting-house, as many taverns as the law 
allowed, the postoffice, and Masons' Hall. The bounds 
as enlarged were as follows : Beginning at the jail the 
line ran on the east side of Ninth street, across Court 
and Church streets to the middle of the square, thence 
across the square to Tenth street, up the street by 
Friends' Warehouse to the south side of Church, 
down Church to the Methodist meeting-house, across 
the street to the opposite side of Church, thence back 
to Tenth and down to the middle of the square, thence 
across the square to the east side of Eleventh street, 
thence down to the curb-stone on the south side of 
Main, past the Franklin, thence up Main to the post- 
office, corner of Seventh street, thence up Seventli to 
the south side of Church, down Church past Bell 
Tavern, Washington Inn, and Masons' Hall, thence 
up the western side of Ninth street to Clay to the 



70 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

jail.* Within these ten acres the prisoners for debt were 
allowed to go, but if they overstepped the bounds they 
were confined in the jail. About the close of the 
next ten years this law was abolished, and men were no 
longer imprisoned for debt. 



* I have substituted the modern names of the streets for convenience. 



CHAPTER V. 

At this time the most important problem before the 
growing town of Lynchburg was, how shall we supply 
the place with water ? The old reservoir at the foot of 
the hill on Market street had proved a dismal failure, 
and the wells sunk before the "water w^orks" were 
established had been filled up, so that the town was at 
the mercy of the devouring flames. What could 
Lynchburg be with no protection against fire? The 
question was discussed a great deal, for it was evident 
that something must be done. At length the council 
made a start by appointing, on June 27, 1822, William 
Burd, John Schoolfield, H. Davies, and John R. D. 
Payne, a committee to devise means for bringing water 
into the town for the extinguishing of fire. Here the 
matter rested for several years, and the people had to 
be satisfied with the primitive water works of John 
Lynch, Jr., which in 1817 he sold to James Wade. 

Many new buildings were started at the beginning 
of this period. The Baptists had organized a society 
and were preaching in the courthouse, but in January, 
1820, they began to build a meeting house on Court 
street, between Fourth and Fifth. It was a small brick 
house and stood back in the yard near Church street, 
almost adjoining the house now occupied by J. W. 
West. This house was dedicated August 5, 1821, 
Rev. William Leftwich, of Bedford, preaching the ser- 



72 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

mon. Prior to this, and many years afterwards, the 
Baptists and the Methodists held Sunday-school together 
at the latter church. 

Several times in the paper articles had appeared de- 
ploring the fact that there was no Episcopal church in 
Lynchburg, Moved by these and other appeals, the 
friends of the Protestant Episcopal church held a meet- 
ing at the Franklin Hotel, September 14, 1822, for the 
purpose of organizing a church here, and arranging for 
the permanent support of an Episcopal clergyman to 
look after the work in Lynchburg, New London and 
Bedford. The meeting was opened with prayer by the 
Rev. C H. Page ; Captain Robert L. Coleman was 
elected chairman, and Rev. Nicholas H. Cobbs, secre- 
tary ; Hon. George Tucker, Chiswell Dabney, James 
Bullock, Dr. Howell Davies, Henry Morris, and Elijah 
Fletcher were appointed the committee for Lynchburg. 
The vestry for the whole work was to meet on the 
28th, but it rained and the meeting was postponed. 
The Lynchburg committee, however, met and at once 
went to work. They succeeded in raising money 
enough to support a minister, and secured the services 
of the Rev. Amos Tredway, who preached in Masons' 
Hall from 1822 to 1824. In September of 1824, the 
Rev. Franklin G. Smith, who had opened a school here, 
became the pastor of the little flock, which consisted of 
seven communicants. He continued holding services 
in Masons' Hall, and in 1825 started a subscription 
for a new church, which soon amounted to two thou- 
sand, eight hundred and four dollars. Mrs. George 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 7»'5 

Cabell gave the lot at the corner of Church and Seventh 
streets,. on which a brick building was erected. The 
church was very picturesque, standing on a high plateau 
surrounded by beautiful shade trees, and reached from. 
Church street by twelve or eighteen stone steps*- 
Thursday, May 18, 1826, when the annual State conven-^ 
tion of the Episcopal church was to meet in Lynchburgy 
was appointed as the time for the dedication. Thirty- 
seven clergymen attended, and when the hour for 
services arrived a large congregation assembled. Bishop 
Richard Channing Moore preached from Exodus 
XX : 24. After the sermon he consecrated St. Paul's 
church, and confirmed thirty-one persons. 

A Sunday-school was organized August 24, with 
Seth Ward, president ; Walter H. Middleton, secretary ; 
Alexander T. Douglas, superintendent; and D. Bradfute, 
treasurer. The visitors were, Mrs. Ann Byrd, Mrs. 
William Daniel, Mrs. Dr. Cabell, Mrs. C. Anthony, 
Mrs. H. Montgomerie, Mrs. D. Bradfute, Mrs. P. H. 
Cabell, Mrs. S. Claytor, Mrs. Elijah Fletcher, Mrs. 
H. S. White, Mrs. Dr. William Owens, and Mrs. T. 
T. Bowen. 

A great innovation was made November 13, of this 
year, when a pipe organ was introduced into the church. 
Some thought it a very questionable proceeding. 
Nothing before had been seen like it in Lynchburg. 
Rex'. F. G. Smith preached a sermon upholding the use 
of an organ in the church, but this did not heal the 
breach. Sentiment was greatly divided, some holding 
that the use of an organ in religious services was sacri- 



74 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

legious, and that they would absent themselves from 
any church that was guilty of this sin ; others held that 
Ood could be praised by the use of an instrument as well 
■as by the human voice, and they rejoiced in the new 
music. The agitation brought many to church to hear 
the "new machine." Among the organizations that 
took a good deal of interest in it were " Marshall Lodge " 
and the Thespian Society. Each contributed to it, the 
latter as much as five hundred dollars, which was raised 
by entertainments. It may seem strange to us that 
there should have been any question as to the use of an 
organ in church, but to many people at this time, and 
even later, it was a problem hard to solve. 

Lynchburg has always been well supplied with schools. 
Rev. Stith Mead establislied a Lancasterian school, so 
named in honor of Joseph Lancaster, who first established 
a school on the principle of mutual instruction. This 
did not last long, and the schoolhouse was rented Sep- 
tember, 1821, at fifty dollars a year, for the first poor- 
house of the town. Henry and Ann Morris established 
a female institute in the house of Dr. John Cabell, at 
the corner of Main and Fifth streets ; Thomas Dillard 
had a school for boys, and Mrs. Owen taught a school 
for boys and girls in the old frame house which now 
stands on the corner of Church and Eighth streets. 
These, in addition to many of the schools already men- 
tioned, were doing a good work, but a more important 
movement was made September 20, 1822. A public 
meeting was held at the Methodist meeting house. 
John Hancock, the mayor, was chairman, and T. A. 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 75 

Holcombe secretary and treasurer. The meeting was 
called to establish the Lynchburg free school, for the 
education of poor children ; for, said one speaker, 
** genius is often repressed by the chilling hand of 
poverty." The money was to be raised by private 
subscription, and the board of managers was to make 
application to the General Assembly for articles of in- 
corporation. William Norvell, John Victor, Rev. 
John Early, William J. Holcombe, John Caskie, Wil- 
liam Burd, Christopher Winfree, and James Warwick 
constituted the board. Application was made, and on 
February 14, 1823, the legislature incorporated the 
Lynchburg Charity School. This was the town's first 
organized effort for public education. 

While these events were taking place, the strong 
link that bound the ferry of the early days to the 
citizens of this period was broken. On October 31, 
1820, John Lynch, the originator of the ferry and the 
founder of Lynchburg, died. Mr. Lynch was born at 
"Chestnut Hill" in 1740, and early in life married 
Mary Bowles. After his marriage he lived on his farm 
near the Quaker meeting house, afterwards owned by 
Charles Henry Lynch, until the establishment of the 
ferry, when he moved to the ferry house. He lived 
here until about 1800, and then moved back to his 
farm. Later he built a house in Lynchburg, on the 
spot where Stockton Terry's house now stands, and lived 
here until his death. This house was burned about 
1850. Mr. Lynch is described as being tall, very erect, 
with clean-shaven face and a fair com^^lexion. Being 



76 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a strict Quaker, he wore their distinctive dress and used 

their peculiar speech. An obituary of him, written by 

Christopher Anthony, and published in the Press, thus 

speaks of him : 

' ' He was a zealous and pious member of the Society of Friends, 
and although laboring for the last fifty years of his life under a pul- 
monary complaint, which rendered him extremely weak and feeble 
in body, he was nevertheless active and prompt in the discharge of 
the various duties of husband, father, and friend. He possessed a 
mind of the first order — a mind unimpaired by disease or old age, 
until a very short time before his death, and a fortitude and firmness 
of character seldom equalled. He witnessed the rise and progress 
of the town of Lynchburg, from the laying of the first corner-stone — 
in fact, from the period when the site was a howling wilderness — to 
its present size and grandeur ; and such was the veneration which 
the inhabitants of the town entertained for him, that he might be 
regarded as standing amongst them very much in the light of one of 
the patriarchs of old. Few measures of a general nature were set on 
foot without consulting him, and he was always found a zealous pro- 
moter of whatever tended to advance the general good. Amongst 
other traits of character in this excellent man, those of charity and 
benevolence were very conspicuous. To the poor his doors were ever 
opened." 

He was buried on a beautiful autumn day, and a 
large concourse of people followed him to his last rest- 
ing place. His unmarked grave is in the northeast 
corner of the Quaker burying-ground. It is hoped 
that some day the spot will be appropriately marked. 
Still, it may well be said : "If you seek his monument, 
look about you." 

Buildings of a public nature were rapidly increasing 
in the place. A new theatre was built in 1820, on the 
site of the old colored Baptist church, on Court street, 
near Fifth. It was a plain, one-story brick building, 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 77 

that looked more like a stable than an opera house. 
And as to taverns, why this was tavern- town. Besides 
the Franklin and City hotels, and Eagle, Bell and In- 
dian Queen taverns, there were Cross Keys tavern, 
corner Main and Twelfth streets, with two big keys 
crossed for a sign, and Western tavern, on the corner 
of Fifth and Madison streets, and Paulette's tavern, on 
Twelfth street, near where the Payne building now 
stands ; and last, but not least, Washington inn, on the 
corner of Church and Seventh streets, with a large 
round sign hanging across the sidewalk, on which was 
painted an heroic size picture of General Washington. 
Many were the happy hours spent in these taverns in 
the days that are past and gone. 

There was another public building the town wanted 
to add to those it already had — a library. In February, 
1822, the Lynchburg Literary and Library Company 
was incorporated by the legislature, for the improve- 
ment of the citizens and the establishment of a public 
library. The company may have improved the citizens, 
but the latter part of its charter it never fulfilled. We 
hope, howev(?r, that ere February, 1922 passes, some 
successor in citizenship will present to his native city 
this much-needed building. 

Another interesting fact in the progress of the place 
was the changing of the Press and Advertiser, on Au- 
gust 6, 1822, to the Lynchburg Virginian. It was 
owned by Pleasants, Butler & Co., and in January, 
1824, Kichard H. Toler assumed the editorship of the 
paper. At the same time a proposal was issued by 



78 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Achilles D. Johnson for another semi- weekly paper, the 
Lynchburg Herald. This appeared, but lived not quite 
one year. 

Again the graveyard of the town was causing trouble. 
It was in such a dilapidated condition that many hated 
to place their dead there ; but there was no alternative. 
The elders of the Presbyterian church took the matter 
in charge. On January 16, 1824, they announced that 
they, with other citizens, had subscribed and collected 
a sum sufficient to purchase two acres for a new grave- 
yard, about the same distance from the town as the old 
one, on the road leading to Campbell Courthouse. It 
was to be under the management of the elders of the 
Presbyterian church here, who expected to enclose it 
with a brick wall, if they had money enough, and if 
not, with a plank fence. All persons who wanted an 
interest in the new cemetery were invited to call at 
John M. Gordon's counting-room and enroll their 
names as subscribers. The following June, the subscrib- 
ers met at the graveyard and chose their lots. Nearly 
every day from that time to the present a new grave 
has been made in this beautiful city of the dead, until 
it holds the precious remains of hundreds, even thou- 
sands, of Lynchburg's people. 

Lynchburg was not so much absorbed in its own af- 
fairs as to forget what was going on beyond ; its sympa- 
thies were large, extending even to Europe. Greece was 
heroically struggling for her liberty, and the liberty- 
loving people of this place wanted to lend a helping 
hand. The land of Homer and the home of Plato and 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 79 

Socrates was dear to their hearts. Thomas A. Holcombe, 
the mayor, called a public meeting of the citizens at 
the Franklin Hotel, February 24, 1824, to devise plans 
to help the Greeks. It was decided to raise a large 
amount of money and send them in the name of Lib- 
erty. Resolutions of sympathy were passed, and the 
people pledged themselves to go to work to raise the 
amount. Richard Pollard, John Victor, John M. 
Gordon, S. H. Davis, Daniel Williams, and Henry 
S. Langhorne, were appointed a committee to solicit 
subscriptions. The young people helped ; the dramatic 
society presented " The Rivals " at the new theatre, 
and a ball was given at the Franklin for the benefit of 
the fund. A large amount was raised, and immediately 
forwarded to Athens. 

Truly the town in its sympathies was unbounded by 
land or by water, or by nationality. In April of this 
same year a society was organized at the Presbyterian 
church for the amelioration of the Jews scattered 
throughout the world. What this society did we know 
not, but if it did nothing, its intention was good. 

The question of liberty now came nearer home than 
Greece ; the town itself had to fight for the precious 
possession. The people of the county believed in in- 
ternal improvements, and since Lynchburg was so 
willing to help other people, they saw no reason why 
it should not put some of its help nearer home. Ac- 
cordingly, the citizens of the town were cited by 
Campbell court to work the roads outside of the cor- 
porate limits, or pay a fine. What a consternation this 



80 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

produced ! The town people, with their tender hands, 
going out to work county roads ! If they were able, 
it was a menace to their personal liberty. Lynchburg 
heartily resisted the court's summons, and learned legal 
talent was engaged on both sides. Battles long and 
fierce were fought in two courts. At last victory 
crowned the efforts of the town people, and the county 
was left alone to conduct its own improvements. 

Having been victorious in this fight, Lynchburg 
turned its attention to the absorbing topic of the day. 
The Cadmus arrived at New York from Havre, August 
16, 1824, having on board, and in good health, that 
distinguished French- American, General Lafayette. 
The whole country arose to do him honor, and cities 
vied with each other in giving him a magnificent en- 
tertainment. Whenever he appeared in public the 
enthusiasm was unbounded, and such was the effect 
upon some that when they touched his hand they fainted. 
Virginia was to be honored by a visit from the General, 
and Lynchburg coveted the honor of holding within 
its borders, even a short while, this champion of liberty 
and friend of America. To arrange for this, a meeting 
of the citizens was called for Friday, October 8, at the 
Franklin Hotel. Mayor Albon McDaniel was chosen 
chairman, and Richard Henry Toler secretary. The 
first action the meeting took was to give a pressing in- 
vitation to General Lafayette to visit Lynchburg, and 
also to invite President Monroe, Thomas Jefferson, and 
James Madison to be present on the occasion of this 
visit. All the surviving; officers and soldiers of the 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 81 

Revolution in this part of the State were also invited 
to be present. The next action was an effort to secure 
for General Lafayette, in view of his great service, cer- 
tain valuable gifts. Our representative in the State 
legislature was requested to secure for him an appropri- 
ation of money from the State treasury, and the 
congressman from this district was instructed to procure 
him a large grant of land. Landon Cabell, William 
B. Lynch, Collin Buckner, and Alexander S. Henry 
were appointed a committee to wait upon the distin- 
guished gentlemen and invite them. George Whitlock, 
Samuel Claytor, William Radford, Chiswell Dabney, 
John G. Meem, Henry Davis, Ben. F. Owens, and 
James Leftwich, a committee on collections and ar- 
rangements. 

The spring of 1825 was the time appointed for the 
visit, but it was put off until July or August, when 
General Lafayette would return to Virginia to visit 
Mr. Jefferson at Monticello. July and August came, 
but no visit. On September 9, the nation's guest re- 
turned to France, and Lynchburg was denied the 
privilege of showing to him the honors it desired. 
The places visited by General Lafayette during the 
Revolution had been given precedence, and hence the 
town at Lynch's Ferry had been passed by. 

While these arrangements were in progress, another 
public meeting was held at the Franklin. If the town 
did not get what it wanted, it was not because it did 
not ask for it. A great national turnpike was proposed 
from Washington to New Orleans, and this meeting 



82 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was called to take such steps as would result in having 
the proposed road built through Lynchburg. A com- 
mittee was appointed to represent to the President of 
the United States the advantages of the route through 
the town. The matter was well worked up, the citizens 
taking a great deal of interest in it, but the turnpike, 
like General Lafayette, did not come this way. 

These were not the only movements that indicated 
the progressive spirit of the inland town. The Bible 
society, a society to aid the Jews, a benevolent society, 
and a tract society were organized, and in August, 

1825, the colonization society, with Rev. John Early 
president, was started. The purpose of this organiza- 
tion was to raise means to send to Africa " all free 
people of color " who desired to go, and all slaves w^ho 
were freed on that condition. Regular meetings were 
held, a large amount of money raised, and, in connection 
with similar societies in other places, a good work was 
done for the negroes who desired to return to their 
original home. 

Improvements in the town were rapidly going for- 
ward. The citizens on the main street were required 
to put a sidewalk in front of their property before 
November, 1825, or pay seventy-five cents per foot to 
have it done. Public scales were erected back of the 
courthouse, and a powder magazine was built near 
where the almshouse now stands. But a more impor- 
tant improvement was the completion of a stone jail in 

1826. The criminal class had outgrown the log jail, 
so in 1824 the common hall placed twenty-two hundred 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 83 

dollars to the credit of the Hustings court for building 
a stone structure, the old part of the present jail, and 
again twenty-five hundred dollars to complete the work. 
The attention of the people vibrated between home 
interests and outside afiairs. This time it was the 
latter. A public meeting was again held at the Frank- 
lin. Albon McDaniel was chairman, and R. H. Toler 
secretary. The object of this meeting was to render 
assistance to Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Jefferson had 
become greatly involved in debt and was desirous of 
paying all that he owed. He owned three places, 
Monticello, valued at seventy-one thousand dollars, 
Shadwell at thirty thousand dollars, and Albemarle at 
ten thousand dollars. If this property were sold at auc- 
tion he would not realize the amount necessary to meet 
his obligations ; so in February he applied to the Gen- 
eral Assembly to allow him to dispose of the three 
places by lottery, Monticello to be the first prize. Shad- 
well the second, and Albemarle the third. His request 
was granted, and the bill passed February 20, 1826. 
When this was made known it produced a profound 
sorrow throughout the whole country. The idea that 
Thomas Jefferson must dispose of his home and other 
property to pay his debts, and that, too, by lottery, 
was appalling. Lynchburg, with other places, came 
forward to lend a helping hand. The object of this 
meeting was to raise money for his relief. His great 
service to his country was acknowledged, and his dis- 
regard for his private interests when he could serve his 
country, and now that he was involved in such pecuni- 



84 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ary difficulties that he was about to lose his means of 
subsistence and his home in order to satisfy his cred- 
itors, it was resolved to raise a subscription at once, 
and that no single subscription should be over five 
dollars. Correspondence was to be opened with the 
surrounding country, so as to give them an opportunity 
also to contribute. The committee on subscription was 
Fortunatus Sydnor, Jesse B. Harrison, Samuel Claytor, 
George W. Nelson, David G. Murrell, John Walker, 
John G. Meem, John W. Bagwell, John Victor, T. F. 
Bowen, John M. Otey, and Abram R. North. The 
committee went to work and raised a good amount. 
In the meantime, the lottery tickets were being sold at 
ten dollars apiece, and the drawing was to take place 
in Richmond in October of this year. As quite a large 
number of tickets had been disposed of, Lynchburg 
proposed that all be taken, and that on next 4th July 
the property and the money both be given Mr. Jefferson 
as a present from an admiring and grateful people. 
This was not carried out, and on the day appointed for 
this creditable act on the part of his countrymen, July 
4, 1826, Thomas Jefferson died. 

The whole country was plunged into mourning. 
Lynchburg felt especially bereaved, for Mr. Jefferson 
often stopped here in going to and from Poplar Forest. 



* 



♦When here on one occasion, he passed " Aunt" Owen's home, and 
seeing some love apples, as tliey were called, growing in the yard, 
asked a girl standing near the gate why she did not eat them. " Be- 
cause they are poison," she replied. " Bring me one," said Mr. Jeflfer- 
son, " and I will eat it." She gave him one, and, to her great surprise, 
he ate it. This was the first time tomatoes, or love apples, were ever 
eaten in Lynchburg. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 85 

He thought well of the town, and once said : " It is 
the most enterprising spot in the State, and is most en- 
titled to the general patronage for its industry, enterprise 
and correct course." Lynchburg wanted to do special 
honor to this great man's memory, so the mayor, Albon 
McDaniel, called a public meeting at the Franklin, 
July 10, to take some suitable action in the premises. 
Long resolutions, recalling the great service of Mr. 
Jefferson, were passed, and July 20 was appointed as 
the day on which memorial services should be held. 
It was also decided that every citizen wear crape on 
his left arm for thirty days. 

While preparations were going on, news was received 
that John Adams, of Massachusetts, had also died on 
July 4. It was therefore determined that a part of the 
services of the 20th be in honor of ex- President Adams. 

The day arrived, business was suspended, and all the 
people turned out. The procession was formed in front 
of St. Paul's church at 10 A. M., and the line of march 
was up Church to West street (Fifth), thence to Main, and 
down Main to the Presbyterian church. The order was : 

Marshals: Major Buckner, Captain D. Rodes, H. S. Langhome, 
Esq., Captains A. Hancock, John M. Otey, W. W. Norvell, W. 
P. Johns. 

Military. 

Orator, supported on each side by the officiating clergymen. 

Clergy of all denominations. 

Revolutionary officers and soldiers. 

Jefferson committee of arrangements. 

Adams committee of arrangements. 

Corporate authorities. 

Citizens generally in files. 

The long procession moved slowly through the crowded 



86 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

streets towards the church. The church was crowded 
to its utmost capacity. The services, which were very 
simple, began with singing, all the congregation uniting. 
Rev. W. S. Reid led in prayer ; then followed the 
reading of the funeral service by the Rev. F. G. Smith, 
and an address on Jefferson and Adams by Rev. Nich- 
olas P. Cobbs. "When the services were over the 
crowd slowly and solemnly dispersed. For several 
weeks afterward signs of mourning for the great man 
were seen, both in the papers and upon the person of 
the citizens. 

In October of 1827, the town entertained for the 
first time the Synod of Virginia. Many distinguished 
ministers of the Presbyterian church attended, and their 
preaching was greatly enjoyed by the citizens. The 
other events of this year were of minor importance, 
two of which we might mention. The city cemetery 
was enclosed with a brick wall. Late in the year a 
prospectus was published for The Jeffersonian Republi- 
can, by John J. Cabell and Achilles Johnson. The 
paper made its appearance and continued only a short 
while. 

The year 1828 was one of interest in the early his- 
tory of Lynchburg. 

A movement was made that was to be of great ad- 
vantage to the tobacco business. A large meeting of 
the purchasers, inspectors and other people interested 
in the tobacco trade of Lynchburg, was held May 10, 
at the Franklin Hotel ; John Caskie was chairman. 
It seems that there was great confusion in the course 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 87 

of public breaks* at the different warehouses. The 
buyers were summoned to three or four warehouses at 
the same time, and they, as well as the inspectors, were 
greatly inconvenienced, while the planters were injured 
by being deprived of competition in bidding for their 
tobacco. This meeting proposed to remedy this, and to 
do so it was resolved that there should be only one 
public break a day at each warehouse ; that breaks 
should begin at Spring warehouse on Monday of each 
week, at thirty minutes after ringing the breakfast bell 
at the Franklin Hotel, and proceed as follows : Mar- 
tin's, Friends', Lynch's, Liberty's, Planter's, each to 
have successively first break in the order named. No 
break was to be longer than one hour and thirty min- 
utes, and if the inspectors failed to be ready they would 
have to postpone their break until all the others were 
over. The inspectors Avere required to mark the initials 
of the planter on the hogshead and to number it, and 
no inspector was allowed to cry tobacco. These rules 
were to go into effect Monday, May 12, and were to 
be rigidly enforced. The following tobacconists of the 
town signed the agreement : 

John Caskie. Jamea W. Morgan, M. Langhorne, Jr., 

J. B. Roy, George Whitlock, Thomas McKinney, 

Samuel Claytor, M. W. Davenport, Hobson Johns, 

William McKinney, Moses H. Preston, Pleasant Labby, 
J. M. Warwick, William P. Johns, Samuel H. Brown, 

Ben. E. Scruggs, Jesse Hare, Calvin Tate, 

Thomas Ferguson, Charles P. Johnston, John H. Tyree, 
David Walker, II. Montgomerie, Joseph B. Covington, 

William Rutherford, F. F. Bowen, S. D. Wiatt, 

John Walker, Albon McDaniel, D. G. Murrell, 

Ammon Hancock. 



*So called because when tobacco was " rolled" to market the hogs- 
heads were broken open to expose it for sale. 



00 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The summer of this year was notable for the exten- 
sive revivals in all of the churches of Lynchburg. 
Great harmony prevailed, and the pastors, Rev. A. 
Clopton of First Baptist church. Rev. Robert Ryland 
of Second Baptist church, Rev. F. G. Smith of the 
Episcopal, Rev. W. A. Smith of the Methodist, and 
Rev. William S. Reid of Presbyterian, worked together, 
helping each other as far as possible. Many united 
with the different churches, and great activity was 
started in church work. In 1825 there was a fuss in 
the Fourth street Baptist church, which resulted in the 
withdrawal of nineteen members. These determined 
to establish a church of their own, and called the Rev. 
Robert Ryland to serve them as pastor. Mr. Ryland 
came in 1826 and preached in Masons' Hall. After 
the revival spoken of, it was determined to build a 
second Baptist church. A lot adjoining Masons' Hall 
was secured, and on September 20, 1828, with Masonic 
and religious ceremonies, the corner-stone of the new 
church was laid. It was a frame building and was 
rather peculiarly constructed. Standing where the Y. 
M. C. A. building now is, it had two doors opening on 
Church street. The pulpit was between these two 
doors, and the congregation sat facing it. This was 
done to enable the people to see those coming in late 
without the inconvenience of turning their heads. 

There was a stormy time among the Methodists also. 
A meeting was held September 18, in the church, 
Christopher Winfree, chairman, and John Victor, sec- 
retary, at which speeches were made criticizing the 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 89 

discipline of the church. A preamble and resolutions 
were adopted, and on the 2 2d published in the Lynch- 
bur^g Virginian. Whereupon Thomas Jones and Sam- 
uel Bransford made written complaint to the pastor. 
Rev. William A. Smith, that the seed of discord were 
being sown. After some ineffectual efforts to bring 
peace, charges were preferred against some of the best 
members of the church : William J. Holcombe, John 
Percival, Christopher Winfree, John Victor, George 
Percival, Richard S. Tilden, Robert H. Grey, Ed. 
Brown, William Bennet, and Dance Rierman, for " en- 
deavoring to sow dissension in the church by inveighing 
against the discipline." Then followed a long and 
disagreeable church trial, which resulted in the above- 
named members and their families uniting, and formed 
the Reformed Methodist church, afterwards called the 
Methodist Protestant church. The first pastor was 
the Rev. Mr. McKane, and services were held in 
Masons' Hall. On the 10th of the next July, the 
corner-stone of a church was laid on the lot where the 
present church stands. Rev. F. G. Smith of St. Paul's 
led in prayer, and Dr. Thomas Holcombe 'made the 
address. 

It was about this time that a temperance society was 
organized by the Rev. W. A. Smith, which continued 
for a long time and did much good in fighting the evil 
of intemperance. 

While these things were going on in the churches an 
event of interest took place. It was reported that a 
distinguished citizen would be at New London Sunday, 



90 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

September 21, and would come from there to Lynch- 
burg on his way to Washington. The citizens appointed 
a committee, consisting of F. Sydnor, A. McDaniel, C. 
Anthony, John M. Otey, J. Wills, J. B. Harrison, J. 
W. Pegram, E. Fletcher, J. M. Warwick, P. H. Cabell, 
Thomas A. Holcombe, H. Montgomerie, and R. H. 
Toler to arrange for his reception, and to invite him to 
a public dinner. Mr. Clay said he had decided not to 
accept invitations to public dinners, but that he would 
reach Lynchburg Monday and would be glad to see all 
who desired to meet him. 

Monday many citizens went out on horseback to 
meet Henry Clay and get the first sight of him. When 
they reached the Quaker meeting house they saw him 
in his barouche, accompanied by two young men who 
traveled with him. The citizens lined up on either 
side of the road, and when the distinguished visitor 
passed between them they saluted him. They then 
formed in line behind him and escorted him into town. 
When the procession reached the top of the hill near 
the old " White House," which stood on the southeast 
corner of Wise and Eighth streets, a salute was fired 
from a cannon placed near there. The party proceeded 
to the Franklin Hotel, and there a great ovation was 
given to Mr. Clay. Up to that time there had not 
been such a display in Lynchburg, not even when 
General Andrew Jackson visited the town. 

In the evening an entertainment was given at the 
home of one of the citizens, and next morning at ten 
o'clock Mr. Clay departed for Washington. A balloon 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 91 

was sent up in honor of his departure, and the whole 
town turned out to bid him farewell. A large company 
of citizens escorted him two miles out of town, and 
when they halted to turn back, Mr. Clay arose in his 
carriage and in a short speech expressed to them his 
appreciation of the people's kindness. He said that he 
knew few when he came here, but that he had been 
treated as if he had been with old acquaintances and 
friends, and that he hoped hereafter to cultivate the 
acquaintances he had made in Lynchburg. Lynchburg 
had been an enthusiastic supporter of Clay for President 
in a former election, and now that another election was 
on hand and Mr. Clay was not a candidate, the town 
stood for his friend, John Q. Adams, saying that An- 
drew Jackson and John C. Calhoun meant disunion. 
The fight was bitter, Jackson was elected, but disunion 
did not come then. 

The election being over, the people again turned 
their attention to business. Lynchburg was well situ- 
ated for manufacturing. Why should it not engage in 
other business than handling and manufacturing to- 
bacco? Other inland towns had engaged extensively 
in manufacturing and had succeeded. Accordingly 
some of the enterprising citizens began the organization 
of the Lynchburg Manufacturing Company. In Janu- 
ary the General Assembly granted them a charter, with 
J. J. Cabell, John Schoolfield, John Caskie, Ed. Duffel, 
William Morgan, E. Fletcher, Henry Davis, Samuel 
Garland, John Hollins, and David G. Murrell, trustees. 
The company was to manufacture cotton, wool, hemp 



92 LYlfCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and flax. They proceeded at once to erect a mill on 
Blackwater creek, near the site of the present union 
depot. The building was soon completed and the ma- 
chinery put in place. Michael Connell was employed 
to manage it, and as soon as he could get things in 
order he began the manufacture of cotton goods. The 
mill ran for some years, but, not being a success, was 
abandoned. 

The facilities for traveling were private conveyances 
and stage lines, one of the most notable being that 
operated between Lynchburg and Washington by Wil- 
liam Smith, "Extra Billy." Nothwithstanding the 
slow method of traveling, Lynchburg had a large num- 
ber of visitors. In February the Virginia conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal church met here. Bishops 
Roberts and McKendree were present, and the follow- 
ing May the conference of the Associated Methodist 
church also met here. Even as early as this, the place 
had made a reputation for hospitaUty. 

One of the most important events in the history of 
the town took place in July of this year. Mention has 
already been made of the committee appointed in 1822 
to devise means for bringing water into the town. 
They do not seem to have made any report ; at any rate, 
a new committee was appointed November 25, 1825, 
consisting of D. G. Murrell, Rev. John Early, Ammon 
Hancock, and Jolui Thurman, president of the council. 
This committee, like the first, seemed unable to solve 
the great problem, so another was appointed, with John 
Victor as chairman. He worked faithfully to make a 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 93 

plan for furnishing the town with water, and to this 
man Lynchburg is indebted for the excellent water 
works it has had so long. At his own expense first, he 
brought a civil engineer, Albert Stein, here from Penn- 
sylvania to make the estimates and draw a plan for the 
proposed works. The plan was recommended to the 
council February 5, 1827. It was to dam Little river, 
put a forcing pump at the foot of Seventh street, and 
build a reservoir on Clay street with a capacity of six 
hundred thousand gallons of water. The pump was 
to throw into the reservoir three or four thousand 
gallons of water in twenty-four hours. The water 
was to be conducted from the reservoir through 
Second and Third streets in iron pipes, and through 
Fourth street in wooden pipes. To do this it would 
be necessary for the town to borrow forty thousand 
dollars. 

The proposition was a bold one, and was not heartily 
received. Some laughed at the idea of a town the size 
of Lynchburg attempting to build a plant like the one 
proposed, others said it was impracticable to raise water 
to such a height, two hundred and fifty feet, and, be- 
sides, it was too much money to spend. For months 
it was the general topic of conversation, and nearly 
every paper had columns discussing the question. On 
June 29, the ordinance was passed. John Thurman 
was president of the council, and D. Eodes, clerk. 
John Victor, David G. Murrell, E. Fletcher, John 
Thurman, Albon McDaniel, Samuel Claytor, F. Sydnor 
and John G. jVIeem were appointed a committee to 



94 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

borrow fifty thousand dollars. The money was bor- 
rowed from John D. Murrell and preparations were 
made to begin the work at once. " Black's lot," corner 
of Clay and Seventh streets, which was used as a circus 
ground and a place for sending up balloons, was bought 
for the reservoir from Rev. John Early for two thous- 
and dollars, and the land for the pump-house and canal 
from William L. Cabell for one thousand, seven hun- 
dred and fifty dollars. 

The work was begun, and Saturday, August 23, 1828, 
was appointed as the time for laying the corner-stone 
of the pump-house. The event was one of importance 
and was to be celebrated with much display. At nine 
o'clock in the morning a long procession formed in 
front of the Presbyterian church and marched up Main 
to Seventh street, and down Seventh to the river. 
The order was : The military, the reverend clergy, the 
engineer, the common council preceded by the watermg 
committee, Judge William Daniel of the General Court, 
Chancellor Taylor of the Chancery Court, Mayor Mc- 
Daniel, recorder and aldermen, Masonic fraternity and 
citizens on foot. The marshals were Major J. B. 
Risque, Colonel M. Langhorne, Captains R. R. Phelps, 
Samuel J. Wiatt and H. M. Gilliam. 

When the place was reached, the Lynchburg Artil- 
lery and the Rifles formed a square, within which were 
the Masons and public officers. The ceremonies, which 
were impressive, began with prayer by Rev. W. S. Reid, 
then followed music, then another prayer by Rev. F. G. 
Smith, and the Masons proceeded to lay the corner- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 95 

stone. On the stone was a large copper plate upon 
which was this inscription : 

"this stoxe, 

The foundation of a work executed by order of Common Coimcil 

of Lynchburg for supplying the town with water, 

was haid under the direction of 

John Victor, Jno. Thurman, John Early, David G. Murrell 

and Sam'l Claytor 

by the 

Et Worshipful Harrison S. White, D. D. G. Master, and the 

Worshipful Maurice H. Garland, Master of Marshall Lodge, 

No. 39, of Free and Accepted Masons, 

On 23rd Aug., A. L. 5828, A. D. 1828, 

In presence of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Common 

Coimcilmen of said town, members of said Lodge, the 

Artillery and Kifle Co.'s commanded by Capts. 

J. E. Norvell and Jos. W. Pegram, and 

numerous citizens. 

Albon McDaniel, Mayor, 

Jno. Thurman, Pres. Council, 

Albert Stein, Eng." 

The exercises were closed with a speech from John 
Victor. He told of the different efforts to supply the 
town with water, and then explained the present move- 
ment, describing the dam, canal, pump, and all other 
parts of the work. He said the pump-house was to 
be fifty-four by thirty-two feet, the water-wheel of wood 
and iron, with shaft and socket ; the pump-barrel nine 
inches in diameter, and the capacity was to be two hun- 
dred and fifty thousand gallons in twenty-four hours. 
The ascending main was to be seven inches, the main 
from the reservoir eight inches, and the pipes in the 
streets and alleys three or four inches. The crowd 



96 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE, 

listened attentively and applauded when the speech was 
over, but there was still much misgiving in the hearts 
of a large number of people. 

The work went steadily forward. Many came to 
look on, and the opponents said it was doomed to fail- 
ure — nothing could come of it. They were bitter in 
their denunciation of the men who had involved the 
town in debt, when no good could be realized. 

At length the work was completed, and Saturday, 
July 18, 1829, was appointed the day for the trial of 
the machinery. The whole town was in a high state 
of excitement. Some friends went to John Victor and 
Rev. John Early and advised them to leave town on 
that day, for there was a plan on foot to hang them if 
the project failed. They replied, " The water will run 
if the principles of science are true, and if not we are 
not afraid of the hanging." Saturday evening a large 
crowd gathered at the reservoir, and the pump was 
started. Great was the suspense as they waited in al- 
most breathless stillness to see if the water would run. 
George Thurman, a small boy, was let down into the 
pipe to see if the water was coming. He said he 
could hear only a roaring. Again he was let down 
and drawn up. This time he reported, dust and a cur- 
rent of air. The friends of the movement looked sad ; 
they thought some error had been made in the con- 
struction and the people would be disappointed. The 
third time the boy was let down, but before he had 
gotten far he cried : " Here she is ; draw me up quick." 
He was quickly drawn up, and before he had gotten 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 



97 



well out of the way the water bulged out. A long 
and loud shout went up from the crowd, and John 
Victor, John Early and the rest of the watering com- 
mittee were the heroes of the hour, and it is said that 
many of the citizens got drunk drinking the health of 
each other with James river water. At the height 
of the excitement some one called out, " Get a barrel 
of whisky," and, before the officials were aware of it, 
a barrel was brought, and was not poured out as a liba- 
tion, but was drunk by some in the crowd. From that 
day to this the town has been abundantly supplied with 
water, and the city should acknowledge her debt of 
gratitude to the men whose labor and genius devised 
and completed this valuable public work. 

The water-works excitement had scarcely subsided 
before another as great and more romantic was started. 
A family named Barnes had moved to town from New 
York, and had opened a store on the southeastern cor- 
ner of Main and Sixth streets, in a two-story frame 
house, with its gable end fronting Main street. 

They put on a great deal of style, and frequently the 
whole family would pose in front of the store as a kind 
of advertisement. All of them appeared rosy and well- 
fed except one girl, who was occasionally seen in public, 
and who seemed to be a servant. Mrs. Barnes com- 
plained of the town, and often expressed her disgust 
for the negroes. Her white servant, she said, could 
do more work in a day than a negro could in a week, 
and one would have thought that she did, for the 
poor girl looked as if she were overworked and under- 



98 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

fed. The neighbors began to make remarks about 
the girl's looks, and to take some interest in her, 
when she suddenly disappeared. One day when Mrs. 
Labby, who lived across the street, was looking out of 
her window she saw a sight that horrified her. Ann 
Hindershot, the poor child, was tied to a bed-post in 
the garret of the Barnes house, with her hands clasped 
in the attitude of prayer, while Mrs. Barnes was beating 
her with a stick. When she had finished beating her 
she threw over her a shovel of hot embers. The girl 
uttered a feeble cry and fainted. Mrs. Labby hastened 
to the factory to tell her husband, and he immediately 
procured a warrant for Barnes and his wife. Captain 
Labby and the officer proceeded at once to the house, 
and were refused admission. They insisted upon going 
in and went to the attic, where they found the child in 
a fainting condition, half-starved and burned, and 
beaten until she was almost insensible. Christopher 
Anthony was sent for, and several physicians. The 
physicians treated the child, and she was taken to a 
Mr. Jones,' opposite Major J. B. Risque' s, afterwards 
to Lindsey Shoemal\;er's. 

The news of the affair spread through town like 
wildfire, and threats of tar and feathers, and lynching, 
were freely indulged in. Hundreds came to see the 
child and hear her tale of sorrow. She told how she 
had been put into a box, shut up in the baker, hung up 
by her thumbs, and in many other ways cruelly treated. 
Barnes was arrested and put in jail, lest he be summarily 
dealt with. He claimed that the child had been bound 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 



99 



to him by her parents in Buffalo, New York, and that 
he and his wife had only punished her for disobedience. 
A subscription was taken up for the girl, and some 
suggested sending her back home. In the meantime, 
a gentleman remembered that he had seen in a New 
York paper an advertisement by a Mrs. Allen, calling 
upon all humane people to assist her in finding her lost 
child Susan, who had been kidnapped on the streets of 
New York. When questioned, the child said she had 
an indistinct recollection of having been called Susan. 
After some corrrespondence, Mrs. Allen was sent for, 
and on August 15, 1829, arrived here. The people were 
prepared to witness a touching scene when mother and 
child met, but they were disappointed. When Mrs. 
AUen came where Ann was she coldly looked upon the 
girl and said she was older than her child and quite 
different in appearance. Later she learned that a good 
sum of money had been raised for the girl, and one day, 
where many could see her, she threw her arms about 
the child and exclaimed : " Susan Allen, my long-lost, 
vainly-sought, dearly-loved child, embrace your mother, 
for the voice of nature in my heart assures me that that 
is your sacred relationship to me ! " 

Many pieces appeared in the papers on the subject. 
Francis Barnes attempted to reply and explain his po- 
sition, but the people would not hear him. He published 
a letter in the Neio York Courier, telling of how badly 
he had been treated in Lynchburg, to which the papers 
here promptly replied. He was released on bail and 
soon left the place. 



100 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The recognition of mother and child greatly pleased 
the people, and they showed them every attention. 
They remained in Lynchburg until the spring of 1830, 
and left in great style for New York. Free trans- 
portation was secured for them, and when they de- 
parted, in a boat that was going towards Lexington to 
explore the route of the James River and Kanawha 
canal, the Mayor, with a band of music and many 
citizens, accompanied them a mile up the river. On 
leaving, three cheers were given to speed the parting 
guests, and the escort returned to Lynchburg. 

The sequel of the story was as sad as the beginning. 
Mrs. Allen and her daughter arrived in New York. 
After a short time the woman spent all of the girl's 
money, and suddenly discovered that she was mistaken, 
it was not her child. Poor Ann Hindershot was again 
turned adrift, and what became of her no one knows. 
Better would it have been if she had remained in the 
care of some kind family of Lynchburg. 

The last event of this period that claims our notice 
is the death of a useful citizen. Rev. William P. Mar- 
tin, a Methodist local preacher and a man of great 
peculiarities and wide influence, died October 30. He 
and his wife, Elizabeth, a niece of Edmund Pendle- 
ton, were everywhere noted for their zeal and piety. 
"Aunt Martin," as she was called, was looked upon as 
the guardian angel of the town. The sick always 
wanted her near, and the dying claimed her presence 
and her prayers. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The period embraced in the last chapter was one ot 
town improvements ; the present period is notable be- 
cause or great public works. The town was fortunate 
in having many public-spirited citizens, who eagerly- 
desired to see Lynchburg one of the principal cities of 
the State, and who were willing to exert themselves and 
to use their fortunes for the accomplishment of this pur- 
pose. To make Lynchburg a place of any importance, 
a better connection must be established between it and 
other places. Vie shall find, therefore, that little atten- 
tion was paid to municipal affairs until State works, 
such as roads and canals, were established. 

What the town was at the beginning of this decade 
we may learn from a description given by a visitor here 
in January of this year, Mrs. Ann Royall. Her prin- 
cipal business seems to have been to travel over the 
country and write her impressions of places and people 
in what she called her "Black Book." Then great 
liberty was allowed in the use of names of private or 
public citizens, and she used it, for when people displeased 
her, she wrote about them with a caustic pen, so much so 
that one paper spoke of her as a " scold " and another 
as a " comical old wiseacre." She had a special hatred 
for the clergy. What she had to say of some of our 
early citizens we shall not quote, but her general descrip- 
tion of the town is well worth the space it will occupy : 



102 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

"It was not more than half-past eight o'clock when we arrived in 
Lynchburg, and, upon inquiry, I found that I was to pass the book- 
store of Colonel North, my agent. I waa anxious to see him, and 

requested the driver to stop at the door After this we 

drove on to the tavern, after throwing out the mail at the postofSce. 
When I was taken off the stage I was shown up to the parlor, where 
a young man in a brown frock coat followed me in. I took the 
young man to be the barkeeper of the tavern; he was all attention, 
and I felt myself in a paradise — the gentleman watching over me 
with studied care. And whom think you was the gentleman ? Not 
the barkeeper, but Friday himself. Captain Phelps. 

"Daylight disclosed to me one of the richest pictures of scenery 
and activity doubtless to be found in Virginia. In point of scenery 
it is far beyond Richmond, and very little behind it in business. I 
had understood it was a place of considerable business, but of all the 
travels and other notices of this part of Virginia I never heard a 
word on the beauty of the scenery, the most rich and varied, within 
the same bounds, of which any town in the Union can boast. 

' ' Lynchburg is situated on the James river. The land on which 
it stands ascends from the water's edge, at first gradual, then more 
abrupt, and finally terminates on an elevated plane or table-land. 
From this summit you have a view unequalled either for grandeur 
or beauty. A smooth, broad river rolls at your feet, and again the 
opposite shore presents an abrupt, high blufi, with huge rocks of 
terrific wildness, and terminates in smooth, conic hills, beyond which 
are seen farms and houses. Again, the wildest hills and ledges of 
rocks run up the river's edge, and beyond all the Blue Ridge I 
The banks of the river are lined with towering trees — the enormous 
sycamores with their outstretched branches. To this we may add 
freight boats, tlie skimming wild duck, farms and pleasure grounds, 
falling gardens, rolling carts, rattling stages, thundering wagons and 
a busy multitude; the long warehouses, the gay shops and elegant 
buildings present a most life-stirring scene. 

" What distinguishes the scenery of Lynchburg from any I have met 
with is that such a number of images are drawn within so narrow a 
compass. The rough, the smooth, the sublime and the beautiful are 
thickly mingled, and combines every catalogue of the picturesque and 
the fanciful. Whether we regard the boldness of the figures or the 
variety they assume from diflerent points, it certainly is the most 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 103 

finished picture of spontaneous or studied beauty to be met with per- 
haps in the world, and appeals most powerfully to the feelings; and 
yet this heavenly spot is cursed with the terror of our land, priest- 
craft and missionaries!!! But I will try to be patient; one haa no 
pleasure, even in the works of nature, for these hideous monsters. 
But there are a few choice spirits in Lynchburg, in defiance to 
Moloch and his black band. 

"The ladies of Lynchburg, the few I saw, are very handsome, 
but spoil themselves by laying on ten times as many curls upon their 
head as the fashion requires. Mrs. Bowen is a beautiful woman, and 

two of her sisters are little behind her These were the 

handsomest females I met with in Virginia. 

"The buildings and business enterprises in LjTichburg are: 
Eleven stores, forty-one grocery stores, three auction stores, three 
confectionery stores, one brass foundry, three hat stores, two Bible 
societies, three ropewalks, six tailor shops, three chair factories, three 
cabinet warehouses, two printing offices ( each a semi-weekly paper) , 
eighteen dry goods stores, three apothecary stores, five millinery 
stores, three tin and coppersmith shops, three shoe stores, two book 
stores, one tract society, five saddler shops, seven shoemaker shops, three 
coachmaker shops, one gunsmith shop, two banks, one Presbyterian 
church, two Baptist churches, two Methodist churches (one Keformed 
Methodist church), one Episcopal church (a fine building, and has 
a large organ), one Masonic hall, a courthouse and a large bell, a 
stone jail (supposed to be the best in Virginia, and equal to any in 
the United States), fifteen lawyers and eighteen physicians; seven 
tobacco warehouses, which inspect annually from 15,000 to 18,000 hogs- 
heads, each 1,500 pounds. This is the largest tobacco inspection in 
the United States. They export annually from 25,000 to 30,000 
barrels of flour. There are about 500 batteaux employed between 
this and Richmond, which keep about 1,500 hands employed. There 
are two large manufacturing mills. The Messrs. Langhome are 
about erecting one on a much larger scale than any in the upper 
country; they purchased their water power of the corporation (taken 
from the water- works canal). It owns, besides, one carding ma- 
chine, one powder magazine, and one toll bridge across James river 
(225 yards wide). There are fifteen tobacco manufactories, which 
employ from 400 to 500 hands. 

"The merchants of Lynchburg purchase 10,000 head of hogs. 



104 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

principally drove from States of Kentucky and Ohio. Lynchburg 
is most happily blessed by nature. Much as I have traveled, and 
retouched again and again, the fine scenery of the Hudson river, the 
Catskill of New York, and the White Mountains of New Hamp- 
shire, which last is more sublime, yet must yield in the beautiful, the 
wild and the romantic to the scenery of Lynchburg, and, to crown the 
whole, the Peaks of Otter ( which are in Bedford county ) are seen to 
rise in sharp, blue points, almost perpendicular, 4,000 feet. They are 
the most elevated heights in the United States southwest of the 
Catskill Mountains. On the north side of the town there is a beau- 
tiful view of the Tobacco Kow Mountains. In short, those azure 
heights and sinking vales, the frowning rocks and fruitful fields, the 
flowing river, the lofty trees, the subtle gardens and the magic 
streets, carry the mind away with pleasure; and yet this garden spot 
of Virginia has remained in obscurity, unnoticed and unsung. I 
hope some traveler, allured by its beauty, may chance to stray this 
way and finish the picture my feeble hand has vainly attempted to 
sketch. 

"There is a good turnpike road from this to Salem, Va. But the 
water-works is the pride of Lynchburg, and, I may say, honorable 
to the State; and, though the ground was covered with snow, I 
spent most of my time riding through the town and no small share 
of it viewing the water- works." 

The visit of a person like Mrs. Royall was not 
without its effect upon the town ; some derived great 
amusement, while others were much incensed and felt 
that she ought to be quietly ignored. This sensation, 
however, soon passed away, and others took its place. 

The Methodists and Baptists had had their time 
with discord in the church, which had resulted in the 
formation of new churches. Now the Presbyterians 
were to pass through the same experience. Two parties 
had already been formed, the Old School and the New 
School Presbyterians, and hard feeling had been engen- 
dered by the discussion of the doctrines of each school. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 105 

The New School people concluded to withdraw and es- 
tablish a church of their own. Notice was accordingly 
given that the organization of the Second Presbyterian 
church would take place in the Sunday-school room of 
the Associated Methodist church, May 19, 1830, be- 
ginning with divine service at 11 A. m. The church 
was organized with John M. Gordon, John Caskie, 
Thomas A. Holcombe, James Warwick, Charles B. 
Williams and John R. D. Payne, elders, and Rev. 
James Mitchell and Isaac Cochran a committee to 
secure a stated supply. The Rev. Daniel L. Russell 
served the church until December of this year, and then 
the Rev. Jacob D. Mitchell took charge. Masons' 
Hall was first used for services, then for two years a 
storehouse on Main street, near Eleventh, was used. 
Afterwards a lot was secured on Main street, between 
Sixth and Seventh, and a neat frame church was built. 
Later this was used by Folkes & Winston as a furniture 
store, and was called " the sacred furniture shop." 

At this time the 4th of July was celebrated with 
great earnestness and joy. Business was suspended 
and all the people turned out. The military companies;^ 
the Sunday-school children, the town officers and citizens, 
marched to the Methodist church, where appropriate- 
exercises were conducted. Patriotic songs were sung^ 
the Declaration of Independence was read, and an ad- 
dress was delivered on " The Blessings of Liberty." 
From here the companies marched to Richardson's 
Springs, a favorite watering-place, and there under the 
big oaks they celebrated the day, feasting and drinking 



106 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

toasts to the heroes of the Revolution in sparkling 
spring water, we presume. 

Closely following this celebration, there was on July 
15, at one of the warehouses, a dinner given to Hon. 
Philip P. Barbour. Among those present was General 
J. H. Cocke, a Lynchburger of much distinction, and 
a soldier of two wars. There were several brilliant 
political speeches, and among them that of Mr. Bar- 
bour. When he finished the crowd called for him 
again. He ascended the platform, or rather, hogshead, 
for from here were the speeches delivered, and began 
to address the crowd again, when the head broke through 
and the speaker fell to the floor. Mr. Barbour was so 
chagrined that he quietly sat on the floor until the 
crowd dispersed, and when his friends lifted the hogs- 
head from him, he retired to his hotel. 

The carnival of death was held Thursday, August 
19. J. M. Jones killed George Hamilton on a boat 
here in 1828. The case created a great deal of excite- 
ment. Two hundred persons were challenged before a 
jury could be gotten. The trial took place before 
Judge William Daniel. There was an array of legal 
talent ; Sterling Claiborne opened for the prosecution, 
and James Garland, Chiswell Dabney and Major J. B. 
Risque spoke for the defence, and Christopher Anthony 
concluded for the Commonwealth. The jury brought 
in the verdict of guilty, and he was sentenced to be 
hanged. The prisoner was once reprieved, but on this 
day he was to pay the extreme penalty of the law. 
The case had attracted attention throughout all this 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 107 

section of the State, and many determined to witness 
the execution. The day of doom had scarcely dawned 
when the people began to pour into the town, some in 
buggies, some in wagons, some in ox-carts, others on 
horseback, and hundreds a-foot. It looked like a circus 
day ; the women had on their best gowns and their 
meeting-going bonnets, the men were dressed in their 
Sunday clothes, best hats and new shoes. Business 
was almost at a standstill, for it seemed that the 
town and the country had turned out to the carnival of 
death. The crowd was estimated at fifteen thousand. 
Boys were running and whistling, women were smiling, 
and men were laughing and chatting ; all seemed to be 
in a good mood except one. 

At twelve o'clock the jail opened and out walked a 
pale, sad-looking man between two guards. They 
mounted the wagon standing at the jail door and the 
prisoner sat upon the plain pine coffin that was in it. 
Then came the Artillery, the Rifles, the reverend clergy, 
and a large number of citizens. The line of march was 
up Clay to Fifth, thence to the Methodist graveyard, 
and down the hill near Tate's old mill. The hillsides 
were black with people eager to witness the execution. 
When the gallows was reached the ghastly exercises 
were opened with singing ; then Rev. E. L, Russell, of 
the Second Presbyterian church, led in prayer ; Rev. 
Charles Calloway, of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
preached an appropriate sermon, and was followed by 
Rev. William Holcombe, of the Associated Methodist 
church, Avho made a feeling address. It was after three 



108 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

o'clock before this part of the arrangements was over ; 
then came the awful, final scene. The doomed man 
made a short talk, the cap was fixed, and the trap 
sprung. Horror of horrors ! the rope broke, and he had 
to be hanged again. He remained hanging for nearly 
an hour in full view of the great crowd. At length he 
was taken down and carried into the old mill. Some 
say an autopsy was performed ; however, the negroes 
"who lived near there said that every night after that a 
light appeared in the mill, and the windows rattled, 
until something in white came to the window and threw 
a man's skin into the pond. The haunted mill was an 
object of terror to them after dark. 

What an awful effect a public execution of this kind 
must have had upon the people. Surely the present 
generation is wiser that the fathers, in having all execu- 
tions private. 

The census of the town was taken this year, and 
showed that there were — 



White males, .... 1,255 Male slaves, . . . 
White females, . . . 1,237 Female slaves, . . . 

Free males of color, . 

Free females of color. 



803 
948 
177 
208 



Total, 2,492 Total, 2,136 

Making a total population of four thousand, six hun- 
dred and twenty-eight. 

A meeting of much importance was held at the 
Franklin September 9 ; Albon McDaniel, chairman, 
and R. H. Toler, secretary. The object of the meeting 
was to discuss internal improvement. The first subject 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 109 

discussed was steamboat navigation on the James river, 
from Lynchburg to Richmond, The proposition made 
to the legislature some time before had not been forgot- 
ten. A committee was appointed to inquire into the 
practicability and cost of building locks and dams in 
James river, so as to make it navigable for steamboats 
from Richmond to Lynchburg. The committee re- 
ported to a subsequent meeting that it could be done at 
a relatively small cost. "Whereupon John G. Meem, 
Henry Davis, Samuel J. Wiatt, Richard K. Cralle, and 
Samuel Claytor were appointed to petition the General 
Assembly to undertake the work on behalf of the State, 
or, if they refused to do that, to incorporate a company 
to undertake it. 

Another meeting was held in November for the pur- 
pose of further discussing this subject of river naviga- 
tion, and to undertake other works. It was proposed 
to build a railroad from Lynchburg to New river, and 
connect, by canal, New river with Roanoke river, and, 
if possible, Roanoke river with the James. Christopher 
Anthony, J. D. Urquhart, and D. G. Murrell were ap- 
pointed to draft a memorial to the legislature relative 
to this subject. 

The Lynchburg and Blue Ridge turnpike was also 
proposed. It was to run from Lynchburg to the lower 
end of James, River canal at Maiden's Adventure, and 
from thence along the tow-path, which the legislature 
would widen, on to Richmond ; west, it was to run from 
Lynchburg to Covington, Kentucky, and connect with 
the Ohio river. Dr. Francis T. Meriweather, John 



110 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Thurman, Balda McDaniel, and others were appointed 
to look after this matter. 

There was pluck and perseverance enough in the 
town; no work seemed too great, and nothing could 
discourage it. The proposition for river navigation 
was discussed a great deal, but nothing came of it at 
this time. The Lynchburg and Blue Ridge turnpike 
was chartered March 26, 1831, and the railroad was 
incorporated April 5 the same year. 

The entire attention of the citizens was turned to the 
Lynchburg and New River railroad. In May, Henry 
Davis, chairman, called a meeting of the trustees, and 
in July, E. Fletcher, mayor, called a public meeting to 
plan the work. William Rives was appointed to make a 
tour through Southwest Virginia and speak to the people 
on the subject, also to ascertain about the connection at 
Abingdon. After a long trip he returned and made a 
favorable report. Saturday, October 19, another pub- 
lic meeting was held at the Second Baptist church, and 
here the project began to take definite form. After 
several stirring speeches, it was resolved that every 
member of the meeting pledge himself to subscribe 
liberally to the stock of the Lynchburg and New River 
road on the next Tuesday, when the subscription books 
were opened, and that the council be requested to sub- 
scribe to one thousand shares on behalf of the town. 
When the appointed day arrived a great demonstration 
was made ; a large number of citizens having flags, and, 
headed by a band of music, marched to the Franklin 
hotel and took nine hundred shares, and before the 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. Ill 

books closed in the evening sixteen hundred were 
talcen. A few days afterward an election was held, 
and the freeholders of the town decided by a vote of 
one-hundred and thirty-four to thirty-one to subscribe 
to one thousand shares for the town. In this first at- 
tempt to build a road the town and the citizens in a 
short while subscribed to three thousand and sixty 
shares of stock. Nearly all was taken, except two- 
fifths that it was hoped the State would take. The 
road now seemed assured, and on January 9, 1832, the 
company was organized, with Henry Davis president, 
at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars a year, and Mon- 
cure Robertson chief engineer. The enterprise, how- 
ever, was not so secure as the citizens thought, for the 
legislature refused to subscribe to two-fifths of the stock 
on behalf of the State, and on March 16, 1832, incor- 
porated the James River and Kanawha Canal Company. 
This killed the railroad, and on May 28 the enterprise 
was dropped. The efforts were not in vain, however, 
for the road had been brought to the attention of the 
people, and this would some day work out good for the 
town. 

In April of this year, a terrible epidemic of scarlet 
fever broke out in town, and many died from it, 
especially children. This was scarcely over when, in 
July, the place was threatened with a worse disease. 
The reports came from New York that Asiatic cholera 
was raging there, and every day hundreds died with it. 
It had already reached Richmond and Norfolk, and 
they too reported a good many deaths. Lynchburg 



112 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was very uneasy for fear it would reach here. At this 
time the first board of health was organized, with S. 
H. Davis, president; Moses H. Preston, H. M. Did- 
lake, J. M. Warwick and others. They went to work 
to have the town cleaned up, and the council passed an 
ordinance prohibiting the sale of watermelons, cucum- 
bers, whortleberries, green corn, unripe fruit, and all 
West India fruit except lemons and oranges. Quick 
action in regard to this proved effective, and Lynch- 
burg entirely escaped the cholera. 

The commissioners appointed by the legislature 
opened the subscription books of the James River 
and Kanawha Canal May 21, but the citizens were 
slow to take hold of it, for they felt that it had de- 
feated the railroad, their dream of years. Public 
meetings were held at the Franklin and the matter 
much discussed. The Farmers Bank was asked to 
take five hundred thousand dollars of the stock, but 
refused. Subscriptions came in slowly, and after nearly 
a year but little progress had been made here. In No- 
vember, 1833, Samuel Bransford, the sergeant, held an 
election to ascertain what the town would subscribe. 
Eighty-eight voted for a thousand shares, and in De- 
cember another election was held and the proposition 
for a thousand shares was defeated, one hundred and 
ten to ninety-six. Times were hard and money scarce, 
and this had its effect upon the people. Two years 
afterward, in January, 1835, another election was held, 
and, by a small majority of freeholders, Lynchburg 
decided to take the thousand shares of stock. Work 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 113 

was begun near the town, and the citizens eagerly 
watched to see what would come of the canal. 

In 1833 there were two phenomena that caused 
much anxiety. The first was an earthquake, August 
27, which shook the town considerably. But this was 
as nothing compared to the sight witnessed on the 
morning of November 13. The first part of the night 
the air was very transparent and the stars were exceed- 
ingly brilliant. The thermometer stood at fifty-four 
and the barometer at twenty-three and four-tenths. At 
tAvo o'clock the horizon suddenly became luminous with 
a burning meteoric shower. They came down like 
snow-flakes, and when within three or four feet of the 
ground disappeared. The shower continued until day- 
break, and one in a well said that some were visible at 
eleven o'clock. It was a beautiful and awful sight. 
It looked like a snow-storm, with flakes of fire instead 
of snow. The whole town was excited. Some said 
the stars were falling and that Judgment Day was at 
hand. The negroes began to moan and pray, the 
abandoned women rushed to the Methodist church and 
wept and prayed until day, and many covered their 
heads to keep out the fearful sight. At the Franklin 
a few citizens were sitting at a card-table gambling, 
when one looked out and said, " Doom's Day has 
come !" Immediately the table was overturned, and 
one that stammered called out to the others to pray. 
No one knew how, so he, trembling with fear and stam- 
mering, attempted to sing : 

' ' Show pity, Lord, O Lord, forgive ; 
Let a repenting rebel live." 



114 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

None were able to take in the humorous situation at 
the time, but when the morning came it was greatly 
enjoyed. Some who knew what it was, and who had 
heard of a like phenomenon in 1802, derived pleasure 
from the magnificent scene. The same thing was wit- 
nessed in Richmond, New York, Boston and other 
places about the same time. 

One trouble passed to give place to another. The 
people continued to talk of the wonderful sight until a 
new subject was brought before them in April, 1834. 
The stage from Richmond brought a number of passen- 
gers, and among them C G. Babcock, who complained 
of being sick. Dr. Robert Jennings was called in and 
pronounced it a violent case of small-pox. The patient 
was removed to the hospital, back of the Methodist 
cemetery, and in a short wliile died. Case after case 
was carried out, until the whole town was alarmed. A 
general vaccination was ordered, and when hot weather 
came, much to the relief of the people, small-pox dis- 
appeared. 

The town was called to mourning on June 25, 
for then the news was received that General Lafayette 
had died in Paris, May 20. The Mechanics Artillery 
fired their guns from noon to sunset, the bells of the 
churches and the courthouse bell were tolled, and the 
citizens were called together in a public meeting by H. 
M. Didlake, mayor. It was resolved to appoint July 
15 as the day on which the memory of this great man 
was to be honored, and to request the citizens to wear 
crape for thirty days. Bransford Vawter, the president 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 115 

of the Patrick Henry debating society, called that body 
together that they, too, might pass suitable resolutions. 
Lynchburg was denied the privilege of entertaining 
General Lafayette in life ; now that he was dead, there 
must be suitable honor to his memory. At sunrise 
Tuesday, the 15th, the artillery fired twenty- four min- 
ute guns. All business was suspended, and at nine 
o'clock the procession began to form in front of Masons' 
Hall. General D. Rodes was marshal, assisted by Col- 
onel J. R. Holmes, Colonel Maurice Langhorne, Col- 
onel Alexander Austin, Colonel William H. Garland, 
Major J. B. Risque, Major A. M. Gilliam, Major J. 
E. Norvell and Captain J. H. Simpson. The order 
of the procession was : 

Marshals. 

Band in mourning. 

Mechanics Artillery; cannons covered with black; arms reversed. 

The orator, with Eev. H. B. Cowles and Eev. William S. Reid. 

Mayor, aldermen, common comicil and magistrates from the coun- 
try, wearing badges of mourning. 

Clergy in double file. 

Patrick Henry Debating Society. 

A white horse, covered with black, with saddle, and boots in the 
stirrups inverted, and a groom in appropriate mourning. 

Companions in arms of General Lafayette, headed by Major-Gen- 
eral Joel Leftwich, with aides, as chief mourners. 

Countrymen of Lafayette. 

Revolutionary soldiers in double file. 

Members of the bar from town and country. 

Volunteer companies. 

Officers of the United States army and navy. 

Colonel and staff of One Hundred and Thirty-first regiment on 
horseback. 

Masons. 

Young men' s societies, with badges of mourning. 

Officers and privates of militia from town and coimtry. 

Citizens and strangers. 

Lynchburg troops, Captain Langhorne, arms reversed. 



116 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The long procession started at ten o'clock, and 
marched up Church to Fifth, down Fifth to Main, 
thence to Eleventh street, up Eleventh to Church and 
to the Methodist church. 

Not only the church was crowded, but the street in 
front of the church was jammed with people. The 
services at the church began with the choir singing a 
special dirge prepared by Gates Ward. Rev. W. S. 
Reid led in prayer, and the orator, Charles L. Mosby, 
was introduced and delivered a fine oration on the life 
of General Lafayette. The choir rendered another 
piece, and the services were closed with prayer and 
the benediction by Rev. H. B. Cowles. At sunset 
twenty-four minute guns were fired, and thus closed 
one of the most memorable days in the history of 
Lynchburg. What a beautiful custom this was of 
suspending business, calling the people together, and 
exalting virtue and bravery as represented by the dif- 
ferent great men ! The effects were far-reaching ; the 
young were taught that there were greater things than 
material gains and bodily comforts. Much of the 
noble history that followed drew its inspiration from 
these occasions. 

At this time Virginia had its own idea about settling 
affairs of honor, and Lynchburg was in Virginia. If 
an insult were offered by one gentleman to another, sec- 
onds were chosen, challenges passed, and a duel ar- 
ranged and fought. Judge William Daniel's home, 
" Point of Honor," had been so named on account of 
a duel fought near there by Samuel Wiatt and Henry 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 117 

Langhorne. Just after the firing, Lewis Cabell came 
along to look after the building of his new house. He 
asked what was the matter, and, when told, said, " That 
gives me a name for my place, ' Point of Honor.' " 
The town was thrown into a state of excitement Au- 
gust 11 by the report that a duel had just been fought 
between William M. Lambert and William M. Davis, 
John M. Speed and John W. Dudley being seconds. 
This trouble grew out of a piece written in the Rich- 
mond Enquirer. Lambert fired and missed, then Davis 
fired into the air and afterwards apologized. Such was 
the sentiment at this time that it would have been 
thought cowardly to have oifered an apology before 
fighting the duel. It is well that these ideas of pro- 
tecting one's honor have passed and that better and 
less harmful methods have been introduced. 

A Unitarian preacher came to town about this time 
and asked permission to preach in the First Baptist 
church. It was granted him, and he worked zealously, 
but to no purpose, for he was unable to start a church, 
as he had hoped. There were several other interesting 
movements in church aifairs at this time. In 1830 the 
old theatre on Court street Avas abandoned and the 
property was bought for a negro church, the first in 
Lynchburg ; before they were all members of the 
white churches. Rev. A. Clopton thought that he 
was especially called to do this work, so he gave up 
the pastorate of the First Baptist church and under- 
took it. The First church being weak and without a 
pastor, it was thought advisable to unite with the Sec- 



118 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ond and form one strong church. A meeting was held 
December 22, 1834, at which Messrs. Eeese, Lucas 
and S. Nowlin, from the First church, and Elder A. 
Smith, P. C. Nelson and C. M. Kives, from the Sec- 
ond, were present. It was thought expedient to unite 
with the Second church and sell the property of the 
First. This was consummated at a meeting of the two 
congregations, March 22, 1835, Rev. A. Smith being 
chosen pastor. 

In February, 1835, the Virginia conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal church again held its session here, 
and in May the Episcopal council met here. St. Paul's 
church was the first to introduce an organ into the town, 
and now they had another plan on foot. The vestry felt 
that the place needed to take public note of time, espe- 
cially as many were late in attending church services. 
They therefore appealed to the citizens to contribute to 
a fund to purchase a town-clock to place in the steeple 
of their church. The suggestion met with general ap- 
proval, and a subscrij)tion list was left with Alexander 
Tompkins at the Farmers bank. The amount neces- 
sary, $862.95, having been raised, on October 27 the 
clock was shipped from Boston and soon put in place 
on the church. It remained there until a new church 
was built, and then it was taken down and laid on the 
hill-side to rot. But its work was not yet done ; when 
the new courthouse was built this was thought to be a 
good place for the old clock. It was taken up, fixed 
and put in place, and when the building was completed 
the clock was started. From that day to this the faith- 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 119 

ful old watcher has been keeping the city's time. It 
has measured the lives of many citizens, and has gone 
on with its work heedlessly crying the hours, whether 
it be the birth of the infant or the death of the aged, 
the hour of misfortune and gloom or the time of pros- 
perity and happiness. How long this old friend will 
continue to tell us of the passing time we know not, 
but when its work is done let it be carefully laid away 
in honor of its noble service. 

The distinguished Virginia jurist, Judge Marshall, 
died July 6, and, according to its custom, Lynchburg 
must honor his memory. The citizens wore crape on 
their arms thirty days, and on August 24 the stores 
closed, the bells tolled, and the people marched to the 
Methodist church to hear an oration upon the life and 
character of the great man. Rev. F. G. Smith spoke, 
and Revs. W. S. Reid and H. B. Cowles took part 
in the service. Similar services had also been held in 
honor of James Monroe. 

Lynchburg was greatly stirred by a trouble that 
seemed to threaten its very life, and one that later on 
was to cause much sorrow. A certain class of people, 
of the baser sort, were going through the country talk- 
ing with the slaves and advising them to run away, or, 
if no chance offered for that, to kill and burn, that they 
might gain their freedom. This was a serious matter, 
and it was made more serious by the vivid recollection 
of the Nat. Turner insurrection. The citizens felt that 
to prevent trouble with the negroes immediate and 
decisive action must be taken. An anti-abolition meet- 



120 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ing was held August 27, and was attended by a large 
crowd ,of the most prominent citizens. Samuel J. 
Wiatt was chairman, and R. H. Toler secretary. Warm 
and enthusiastic speeches were made, and the meeting 
decided to appoint a strong vigilance committee in each 
ward, with instructions to suppress anything looking to 
abolition. It also resolved to petition the legislature to 
pass such laws as would keep out of the State these so- 
called reformers, to strengthen the police force, and to 
request the postmaster to detain all incendiary publica- 
tions. But a more important move than these was that 
made by the merchants, who bound themselves not to 
trade with any place whose representatives interfered 
with the slaves. This last action had the desired effect. 
Immediately New York and Philadelphia held public 
meetings and denounced all interference with the slaves 
of the South as impertinence and injustice, declaring 
that they were the property of the Southern people, 
with which others had nothing to do. Other places in 
New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylva- 
nia held similar meetings and strongly expressed them- 
selves against this intermeddling with other people's 
affairs. This great question was set at rest for a while, 
and the people, relieved of their apprehensions, quietly 
went to work. 

Work had been begun on the canal, and the town 
had suffered a good deal from an epidemic of fever, 
thought to have been caused by so much digging about 
here. The people were pleased at the prospect of a 
canal, but Avere not satisfied. There was still an eager 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 121 

desire for a railroad which nothing else coukl satisfy. 
Once they had nearly succeeded in building one, and 
they could not rest until success crowned their efforts. 
The question Avas greatly agitated, and on October 15 
a public meeting was lield to inaugurate a plan for a 
railroad. John G. Meem, Rev. John Early and a 
number of other citizens were appointed to petition 
the legislature to incorporate the Lynchburg and Ten- 
nessee railroad, from Lynchburg to the Tennessee line, 
to connect with the Nashville and New Orleans road. 
The bill was passed March 11, 1836, incorporating 
this road, and authorizing the construction of a road 
from Lynchburg to Richmond. When the news reached 
Lynchburg there was great rejoicing, and on the fol- 
lowing night the event was celebrated by a great illu- 
mination. Nearly every house had its windows illumi- 
nated with candles. The general interest taken in this 
measure seemed to indicate that Lynchburg was deter- 
mined to have the railroad, and not allow it to be set 
aside for anytliing else. 

The promoters of the road continued with unceasing 
effort to push forward the scheme. June 1, a large 
meeting w'as held in the Methodist Protestant church. 
Rev. John Early was chairman. Strong speeches were 
made urging the citizens to subscribe liberally to the 
stock, and not without effect, for many came forward 
and registered their names for a goodly number of 
shares. The people ^vere greatly encouraged when the 
next year, April, 1837, the legislature subscribed to two 
hundred thousand dollars of stock on account of the State. 



122 LYNCHBUEG AND IIS PEOPLE. 

The proposed road to Richmond M^as lost sight of in 
the eflforts to secure the other ; but other enterprises 
were being started. Three new banks had been estab- 
lished : the Citizens' Savings, J. R. McDaniel, president ; 
the Lynchburg Savings, Jehu Williams, president ; 
and the Union Savings, T. O. Acree, president. In 
February of this year the Lynchburg Hose Company 
was organized, with Sampson Diuguid, engineer in chief, 
and John R. McDaniel, first, Jehu Williams, second, 
Robert W. Collins, third, and Fred. Hickey, fourth 
engineer. March 23, the Lynchburg Female Academy 
was incorporated, with John G. Meem, president ; 
Alexander Tompkins, treasurer ; Charles L. Mosby, 
secretary. 

It was not to be expected that everything should be 
favorable to the town, and there be no reverses. In 
the summer of this year there was a freshet in the 
river that did great damage to property on the river 
bank. The toll-bridge was swept away, and work on 
the new canal greatly injured. 

News was received that on June 28 James Madison 
died, and on July 14 suitable public honors were paid 
to his memory. 

Several years since an attempt had been made to organ- 
ize an agricultural fair, but it had failed. Early in 1837, 
the Central Agricultural Society and Mechanics Insti- 
tute was organized, and in October held its first exhibit. 
Samuel Burch, E. C. Lankford, Sampson Diuguid, 
George Percival, and Chesley Hardy composed the 
committee on arrangements ; O. G. Clay, president ; 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 123 

J. H. Tyree, treasurer ; and Achilles D. Johnson, 
secretary. The opening address was made by John 
Percival at the Methodist church. The cattle was at 
Spring warehouse, the horses at William Smith's stage 
yard, corner Eleventh and Lynch streets, and the sheep 
and hog's at Martin's warehouse. The domestic fea- 
tures were displayed in the ball-room of the Franklin 
hotel. Thus Lynchburg's first fair was somewhat scat- 
tered, but it was a beginning, and there is always sig- 
nificance in beginnings. 

The " falling of the stars " was still fresh in the 
minds of the people, as was the terrific hail-storm which 
occurred July, 1835, breaking nearly all the window- 
glass in town, and, as some claim, indenting the Twelfth 
street wall of " Cross Keys " tavern ; and when, on 
November 20, a wonderful aurora borealis was visible, 
a consternation was created among some, for, said they, 
these signs and wonders portend some terrible things. 

The town was made sad when it was announced that 
on March 19, 1838, Rev. F. G. Smith, the esteemed 
rector of St. Paul's church, had resigned and expected 
soon to leave for another place. A sadder event than 
this took place November 15, this year, when Lynch- 
burg's "earliest poet" died. Bransford Va-vvter was 
born in 1815, in a small frame house which stood 
where the Law Building now is. He was the second 
son of Benjamin Vawter, tailor. The father thought 
more of Bransford, whom he called " Buddy," than he 
did of Silas, whom he addressed as "Jake." When 
under the influence of liquor he would often sit in his 



124 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

door singing : " The world is good, the people are 
good ; God bless ' Buddy ' forever, and at the same 
time please don't forget ' Jake.' " Bransford early- 
evinced a love for literature, and especially for poetry. 
When only four, he learned to recite well, and his 
father would often bring hira into the little shop and 
make him recite for the customers Goldsmith's " Elegy 
on the Death of a Mad Dog," which was his favorite. 
His ambition for "Buddy" was that he become a 
tailor ; and, to carry this out, he tried to bind him to 
Ambrose Page, who refused, saying that he would not 
make a tailor. He was bound out to a man in Liberty, 
until recalled home on account of the suicide of his 
father. Bransford then went to work with Mr. Page, 
and remained for a short while, saying that he wanted 
to ^o to school. He went to John Gary, who taught 
in the basement of the Baptist church, on Church 
street. After two years of good progress at school, he 
left and became deputy clerk under General D. Rodes. 
He is described as having a frail, graceful figure, with 
a clear-cut, intellectual face, dark brilliant eyes, and a 
genial expression. He suffered from pulmonary trouble, 
and in the latter years of his life became very dissi- 
pated. He was very popular, and was made an officer 
of the Lynchburg " Invincibles," a military company, 
and president of the Patrick Henry Debating Society. 
He was an ornate prose writer and a born orator, but 
was distinguished above all as a poet. Few of his 
pieces are preserved, but among them his best. This 
first appeared in the Southern Literary Messenger with- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 125 

out the author's name. It was copied by other maga- 
zines, was set to music and sung throughout the United 
States, and was even translated into several other lan- 
guages. A great curiosity was felt to know the author, 
and a prize was offered for his name. After some per- 
suasion the author allowed it to be published, and, to 
the surprise of some, it was the Lynchburg poet. 

The plaintive and impassioned stanzas were ad- 
dressed, some say, to Miss Ann E. Nor veil, afterwards 
Mrs. Daniel Warwick ; others, to Miss Labby, who 
later married a Mr. Neville. The lines, which we 
quote below, breathe a knightly and chivalrous spirit : 

"I'd offer thee this hand of mine, 

If I could love thee less, 
But hearts so warm, so fond as thine. 

Should never know distress. 
My fortune is too hard for thee, 

'T would chill thy dearest joy; 
F d rather weep to see thee free, 

Than win thee to destroy. 

I love thee in thy happiness. 

As one too dear to love — 
As one I think of but to bless. 

As wretchedly I rove, 
And oh! when sorrow's cup I drink. 

All bitter though it be, 
How sweet 'twill be for me to think, 

It holds no drop for thee. 

And now my dreams are sadly o'er, 

Fate bids them all depart, 
And I must leave my native shore. 

In brokenness of heart. 
And oh, dear one! when far from thee, 

I ne'er laiow joy again, 
I would not that one thought of me 

Should give thy bosom pain." 

He died at the early age of twenty-three, in the old 



126 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

house on Polk street, near Fourth, in which his father 
committed suicide. In the Methodist cemetery, about 
one hundred yards from the entrance, is a narrow sec- 
tion, rudely enclosed by a stone wall. In one of the 
unmarked graves in this plot sleep the mortal remains 
of this brilliant but blighted young man. 

We may be permitted to quote a few stanzas from 
Mrs. C. J. M. Jordan's beautiful poem, " The Grave of 
Bransford Vawter " : 

" It is a spot he would have loved, by pleasing landscape bounded, 
Fair verdant slopes, and distant hills, and blooming hills sur- 
rounded; 
No fitter couch could loving hands have chosen for his sleeping. 
Than here where kindly Nature holds his dust in tender keeping. 

No sounds of earth, no rush of storm, or note of bird may move 

him; 
The mountains fling their shadows broad, the blue skies smile 

above him; 
No restless dreams obtruding come his lonely pillow haunting; 
The river that his childhood loved his requiem now is chanting. 

We may not know, we only hear, how much stern Fate denied him, 
We only see the mantling sod and daisies white that hide him; 
The music of his broken harp floats in the pine-trees sighing, 
And sends its plaintive echoes o'er the grave where he is lying." 

An occurrence, partaking of the marvelous, created 
a good deal of excitement in the town. It took place 
in the spring of 1839, in the one-story brick house on 
Jackson street, between Eleventh and Twelfth, the 
residence of the Rev. Dr. William A. Smith. Dr. 
Smith had borrowed a cradle from Rev. John Early, in 
which to put his new-born baby. One morning, as 
he was at breakfast, his wife, who was in bed in the 
next room, called to him and said : " Dr. Smith, come 



LYNCHBUKG AND ITS PEOrLE. 127 

here and look at this cradle, how it rocks." He arose 
and came to the door, and, to his amazement, the cradle 
was rocking vigorously, and there was no one near it. 
Dr. Smith moved the cradle from near the fire-place 
into the middle of the floor, and said : " Now Geoffrey 
(he called the Devil by that name), rock ! " and he did. 

The news of it spread through town like wildfire, 
and hundreds closed their places of business and went 
to see the " rocking cradle." Various explanations 
were given, but none seemed satisfactory to the people. 

This remarkable period closed with a sad feeling pro- 
duced by the death of one of Lynchburg's distinguished 
sons. Judge William Daniel, who died at his home, 
" Pomt of Honor," November 20. In 1798-99 he was 
in the legislature, and for twenty-three years before his 
death was judge of the General and Circuit courts. In 
his instruction in a certain case for damages, he gave 
rise to the saying, now proverbial in Virginia, that a 
" d — n lie " is the first lick. He had been a citizen of 
Lynchburg since early in the century, and was a man 
respected for his talents and legal knowledge, and 
esteemed for those fine traits possessed by the " old 
Virginia gentleman." 



CHAPTER VII. 

This year found Lynchburg in a prosperous condi- 
tion, with a population of six thousand, three hun- 
dred and ninety-five, and rapidly growing. It was now 
large enough to support two semi-weekly papers, so 
that on J tily - O ' the Lynchburg Republican was started. 

The town had been through severe struggles in the 
past, but the greatest struggle of its history was yet be- 
fore it. The people were to be prepared for it by the 
joy that other days would bring them. One of these 
days was Thursday, December 3. After many losses 
and delays, the James River and Kanawha canal was 
finished to this place, and this was the day set for its 
formal opening at Lynchburg. Then it was that the 
first boat would arrive from Richmond, and to add 
interest to the occasion a race had been arranged be- 
tween a Whig and a Democratic boat. Great prepara- 
tions were made to receive the welcome visitor. The 
mayor, the council, the clergy, the volunteer companies 
with a band, and in fact nearly the whole town, went 
down to cheer the winner of the race and thus witness 
the arrival in the town of the first boat. The crowd 
waited patiently for hours, and about four, when the 
shadows of that winter day began to lengthen, a sweet 
note rang out away down the river, a sound unfamiliar 
to the watchers. It was a boat horn. Again and 
again it was heard, each time coming nearer. Excite- 



LYNCHBURG AXD ITS PEOPLE. 129 

ment increased with each sound, and expectation was on 
tip-toe. In a short while rapidly moving horses, cov- 
ered with foam, came plunging around the curve, and 
then the boat. What a scene ! The people almost went 
wild. Cheer after cheer arose, until Amherst cliffs were 
echoing with the sound ; then the band began to play, 
the Artillery and Rifle companies began to fire salutes, 
and it seemed as if a pandemonium had been turned 
loose. The Whig boat, the William H. Harrison, had 
won. This was the occasion for renewed cheering and 
waving of flags. The boat stopped at Renwick's 
warehouse, where the Witt Shoe Company's house 
now stands. As soon as it Avas made fast, Charles L. 
Mosby stepped on board and was introduced as the 
speaker of the occasion. He first presented a stand of 
colors to the helmsman and then proceeded to make his 
speech. When near the close he grew eloquent. "What 
was land here worth before the canal was started ?" said 
the speaker ; then with a great gesture he said, " What 

is it worth ," and before he finished the sentence 

he was lost to view. Not being used to canal boats, 
and having an insecure position, he lost his balance and 
plunged into the water. This created quite a stir. 
Many came to the rescue, and soon Mr. Mosby w^as 
gotten out without further injury than a good ducking. 
As he came out, dripping with water, James Dolan, a 
leading Irish citizen, and an acquaintance of the speaker, 
cried out, " Neighbor, you have changed your religion — 
quit the Presbyterians and turned Baptist ! " 

In February a line of packet boats was established 



130 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

between here and Richmond. Boyd, Edmunds & Co., 
agents, announced that on Monday, Wednesday and 
Friday of each week, at 7:30 A. M., the "Jos. C. 
Cabell," Captain Huntley, and the " John Marshall," 
Captain Hull, would leave alternately for Richmond, 
fare, eight dollars. The freight boats had begun to ar- 
rive and depart, and the shipping news of the " port " 
of Lynchburg was already occupying some space in 
the town papers. 

In its material prosperity Lynchburg did not forget 
the higher things that ennoble human life. It could 
always stop to review the life of a distinguished man, 
or to help the helpless, or to inaugurate an educational 
movement. Now the people were called upon to mourn 
the death of a distinguished visitor. A patriarch of 
eighty years had come here, about November 7, to 
preach to the people. He had often preached here, 
but before he reached the town this time he was 
taken ill and could not fill his appointment. He con- 
tinued to grow worse, and on November 15, at the 
home of Rev. Thomas Atkinson, rector of St. Paul's, 
the Rev. Richard Channing Moore, the Episcopal 
bishop of the diocese of Virginia, died. The citizens 
honored the memory of this godly man, and many fol- 
lowed the remains to the boat, as a mark of respect. 

Near the close of 1841 a meeting of great impor- 
tance was held. Lynchburg had already started a sys- 
tem of free education, but it did not continue long ; 
now, there was a movement of greater importance. A 
State educational convention was to be held in Rich- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 131 

mond, December 0, and the town being mnch in- 
terested in this important question, wanted to be well 
represented. A meeting was held in the Methodist 
Protestant church to elect delegates. Several very 
strong speeches in favor of free education were made, 
and the following were elected to represent the town : 
T. M. Bondurant, R. H. Toler, B. W. Nowlin, J. M. 
Speed, C. H. Lynch, W. T. Young and the Rev. John 
Early. The people were disappointed in the result of 
the convention, because, perhaps, they expected too 
much at first. The principal work done was to discuss 
the question and thus bring it before the public. Several 
years later another w^as held to ascertain if the people 
would submit to special taxation for the schools, but 
many years passed before they were established by the 
State. 

The year 1842 was not one of great importance in 
the history of the town, and few were the events of 
interest. In July a freshet did much damage to the 
canal and property on the river. There were some 
important matters in church affairs. The Methodist 
Protestant Conference met here in the spring ; Rev. 
R. B. Thomson, president. September 21, the Uni- 
versalists laid the corner-stone for a church on a lot on 
Twelfth street, between Main and Church, just back of 
Morriss' hotel. The church was to be a brick building 
forty by sixty feet. After it was completed it was not 
long used by the Universalists, but was rented for a 
theatre, and later was bought by the Odd Fellows, who 
improved it and used it for their hall. About this 



132 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

time the Catholic church was established here. The 
first Catholic priest who visited Lynchburg was 
Father Cooper, who came in 1829, and celebrated 
mass at the residence of Mrs. Mary B. Dornin, and in 
the afternoon preached at the courthouse. The next 
priest who came was Rev. Timothy O'Brien. He came 
in 1834, when there were a large number of Irishmen 
at work near here on the James River and Kanawha 
canal. The object of his visit was to raise funds for his 
church in Riclmiond. He visited the place several 
times, and said mass at the home of Michael Connell. 
The next movement looking towards the establishment 
of a church was the organization of a Sunday-school at 
the home of Mrs. Dornin. In 1841 the Rev. John 
O'Brien came to Lynchburg to perform the marriage 
ceremony of Patrick Quinn and Constance, Mrs. Dor- 
nin's daughter. He held services and encouraged the 
little company. A few months later. Rev. Daniel 
Downey was sent here as pastor. He rented the old 
Baptist church, on Church street near Fifth, and oc- 
cupied it for several years. At once he began to work 
for a church, and in the fall of 1842 the building 
was started on the hill near the courthouse. It was 
finished in 1843, and in October was dedicated by 
Bishop Whelan. The congregation was small and had 
struggled hard to build the church, so that after it was 
finished there were only one or two seats, the most of 
the people having to stand during service. The church 
was used before the dedication, and one of the impor- 
tant meetings held there was that of July 4. The Irish 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 133 

citizens, though far away, had not forgotten the Emer- 
ald Isle. On this day they held a meeting to organize 
a Repeal Association, the object of which was to assist 
their countrymen to secure a restoration of their rights 
as citizens. A large crowd was present, there being 
many sympathizers with the Irish, and Patrick Quinn 
was made the secretary. The Association continued for 
some time and did much good, by raising money and 
by creating a sentiment for the oppressed. 

The town was quietly moving forward. The Vir- 
ginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church 
met here November 14, 1844. Bishop Soule presided, 
and he was accompanied by Bishop Andrew, the bishop 
whose case brought up the question which divided the 
church into the Northern and Southern branches. 

At this time there was inaugurated a movement to 
do what is not often done, erect a statue to a living 
man. Lynchburg must take a part in it, so in Decem- 
ber of this year the ladies held a meeting in the Second 
Presbyterian church to organize a society to assist in 
erecting a statue to Henry Clay in the Capital Square 
at Richmond. Mrs. John M. Otey was president ; Mrs. 
James Saunders, Mrs. John H. Patteson, Miss Sallie 
P. Claytor and Mrs. James M. Langhorne, vice-presi- 
dents, and Mrs. Joseph C. Hunt, treasurer. The asso- 
ciation went to work and raised a handsome sum, which, 
with others, paid for the statue which now stands in the 
beautiful square. 

The Baptist General Assembly met here in May, 
1845. It had scarcely adjourned when, on June 10, 



134 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the town v/as greatly excited over the appearance of a 
large comet, which the old inhabitants said was a certain 
sign of war. Perhaps it was especially significant at 
the time, because the United States and Mexico were 
having a dispute that seemed certain to bring on war. 
The prediction came true, for on July 16 Mexico de- 
clared war against us. 

Before this took place the town was turned to mourn- 
ing. June 23, at the Hermitage, his home near Nash- 
ville, General Andrew Jackson died. As was the 
custom, Lynchburg had to hold special memorial ser- 
vices, and July 14 was the day fixed. After a suitable 
parade, a large crowd gathered at the Methodist church 
and listened to an oration on the life of Jackson by 
the speaker selected, William Daniel, Jr. 

Early in its history Lynchburg had organized a tem- 
perance society, and it had been quietly and earnestly 
at work. When Father Downey came to take charge 
of the Catholic congregation, he organized a total absti- 
nence society among his people, and made public 
speeches on temperance. The most earnest advocate of 
this cause, however, was Captain Thomas A. Holcombe. 
He not only did much for it here by organizing socie- 
ties and distributing tracts on the subject, but he trav- 
eled over a good portion of the State, doing the same 
work. Such was the esteem for him here that when he 
died, October 31, 1843, there was great sorrow, and all 
the stores on Main street closed when the funeral pro- 
cession passed. Some years later the temperance socie- 
ties of the town erected a monument over his grave at 



LYNCHBURG AXD ITS PEOPLE. 135 

the Presbyterian cemetery, and named their liall on 
Church street for him. The work he was so much 
interested in did not cease at his death. A long peti- 
tion was presented January, 1846, to the Common Hall, 
urging that no liquor be allowed to be sold in the town. 
The request was not granted, but the friends were not 
discouraged. In March, John B. Gough delivered one 
of his great addresses on temperance to a large audience 
at the Methodist church, and this did much to stimulate 
temperance sentiment. 

About the same time this noted man visited Lynch- 
burg the town was saying farewell to one of its distin- 
guished citizens. Richard H. Toler, who for some time 
had been editor of the Virginian, and who had been 
closely identified with the town, having represented it 
in the legislature, resigned his position as editor of the 
Virginian to become editor of the Richmond Whig. 
The citizens, desirous of expressing their regard for 
Mr. Toler, gave him a public dinner at the Franklin, 
Charles L. Mosby presided, and many were the expres- 
sion of regard brought out by the toasts. 

Mr. Toler was succeeded by William M. Blackford, 
whom the people discovered to be a man of high char- 
acter, good judgment, and a writer of culture and of 
force. With Robert H. Glass, editor of the Repub- 
lican, the town could boast of two excellent semi- 
weekly papers. 

Lynchburg hoped for great things from the educa- 
tional convention held at Richmond, but was disap- 
pointed, yet not discouraged. As the State had failed 



136 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

to establish a system of public schools, the town again 
undertook it on its own behalf. In April of this year 
J. Henry, of New York, addressed the people of the 
place on this subject. Robert J. Davis proposed the 
organization of " The Lynchburg Primary School As- 
sociation " for popular education. The proposition met 
with approval, and, on the 18th, a meeting for organi- 
zation was held in the Baptist church. David R. Edley 
was chairman and David E. Spence secretary. The 
work was not completed, and another meeting was held 
on the 25th, Henry A. Christian, chairman. At this 
meeting the organization was perfected, with Hon. 
Daniel A. Wilson, president ; D. R. Edley, C. Dabney, 
John Wills, Charles L. Mosby and William Daniel, Jr., 
vice-presidents ; D. E. Spence, secretary, and George 
W. Benaugh, treasurer. The association started its 
work and continued for a while, but was forced to sus- 
pend on account of lack of funds. 

What of the war ? Had it passed and Lynchburg 
taken no part ? Not so ; in these days before railroads 
and telegraph lines, news traveled slowly by stage and 
boat. Although Mexico had declared war the year before, 
hostilities were not begun until May, '46. As soon as 
the " Ferry Town " heard there was fighting, it wanted 
to help. A public meeting was therefore called and 
an effort made to raise and equip a volunteer company. 
Captain W. D. Fair, of the Rifle Guards, and J. William 
Dudley made stirring speeches. Committees were ap- 
pointed and went to work, but did not meet with the 
success they expected, perhaps because the Mechanics' 





THE LYNCHBURG COLLEGE 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 137 

Artillery, a company already organized, had offered 
their service to the governor, and for some reason had 
not been accepted. However, a number volunteered, 
not enough to form a company, and some money was 
raised. Captain W. A. Tolbot went to Richmond with 
about twenty Lynchburgers and completed the organ- 
isation of his company there. Among his officers were 
John J. Bunting, second lieutenant, and W. F. Norris, 
second corporal, both from Lynchburg. Some other 
Lynchburgers enhsted at other places — for instance, 
Thomas B. Dornin in Missouri. F. B. Deane, Jr., was 
awarded the contract to cast five thousand shot and 
shell for the government's use. Another occurrence in 
reference to the war took place when it was learned 
that Major Jubal A. Early with his troops from Frank- 
lin county would pass through the town January 14, 
1847, on his way to Richmond to enlist. Preparations 
were made to entertain him and his men. A public 
dinner was given them at the Universalist church, and 
as they marched through the streets the people cheered 
and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs. From this 
time until peace was declared Lynchburg took great 
interest in the war, and was ready if there was need to 
send its quota of soldiers. Once a public meeting was 
held urging the vigorous prosecution of the war. 

The war had little or no effect upon the town ; busi- 
ness and improvements moved on as if it were not. 
The Masons began a new building. Old Masons' hall 
was put on rollers and moved as far as St. Paul's 
church, where it rested for several months, despite the 



138 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

protests of the property-owners. The present brick 
building, on the corner of Church and Ninth streets, 
was begun, and October 26, 1846, the corner-stone 
was laid. James B. Green, grand master; John H. 
Seay, master of Marshall Lodge; John R. Purdie, 
grand master of Virginia, with John M. Otey, presi- 
dent of the council, and H. M. Didlake, mayor, took 
part. Colonel M. Langhorne, Jr., John E,. McDaniel, 
J. M. Otey, J. B. Green, James Dolan and Samuel A. 
Bailey were the committee of arrangements. 

In August, 1847, the town was threatened with a 
money panic. The Bank of Virginia here was nearly 
ruined by a theft of fifty thousand dollars by two of its 
leading officers. The town was greatly excited, but 
the bank stood the strain and continued its business. 
The defaulters were captured and put in jail to await 
trial. 

An effort was made in November to establish a free 
high school. Rev. W. S. Reid, of the First Presby- 
terian church; Rev. D. S. Doggett, of the Methodist; 
Rev. W. H. Kinckle, of the Episcopal; Rev. W. M. Wil- 
liams, of the Baptist, and Rev. E. J. Newlin, of the 
Second Presbyterian, took much interest in the move. 
Their efforts, however, resulted only in laying the 
foundation for a work that was to be completed in 
after years. 

The James was again causing trouble. November 
24, there was the greatest flood since 1794. The river 
rose twenty-one feet above low-water mark. The canal 
was greatly damaged, the water-works dam was swept 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 139 

away, and property on the river and canal was greatly 
injured. The town was without water for several 
months, and, besides great inconvenience, was at the 
mercy of the flames. 

It was during this year that some noble women had 
succeeded in starting, in a small way, an orphan asylum. 
It was on Federal street between First and Second, and 
was called the Ann Nor veil Orphan Asylum. 

Early in 1848 Misses M. A. and G. Gordon erected 
at the corner of Court and Twelfth streets a large brick 
building, to be used as a school. It was called the 
Lynchburg Female Seminary. It figured largely in 
the education of the young people of the town. 

Gloom was cast over the town when the news was 
received that on May 15, in Richmond, Richard H. 
Toler had died. He was a man of high character, and 
a progressive citizen. His funeral was conducted from 
the Methodist church here by the pastor, Rev. David 
S. Doggett. 

It yet remains to desoribe the great struggle of this 
decade, and not only so, but the greatest struggle in 
the history of Lynchburg, so far as public enterprises 
are concerned. To the efforts at this time the city 
owes its present prosperty. The Lynchburg and New 
River railroad seemed to be an established fact until 
the canal was started, and it was set aside. For a time 
it looked as if the efforts to build a road had been 
abandoned, but this was not the case ; the hope of hav- 
ing a railroad from Lynchburg was never given up. 
In March, 1839, R. H. Toler had offered a bill in the 



140 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

legislature proposing to construct the Southwestern 
road in connection with a bank of the Commonwealth. 
Lynchburg approved of this, but it was defeated. Here 
the matter rested until the fall of 1845, when the sub- 
ject of the Southwestern road was brought before the 
public again. Nearly every paper contained long ar- 
ticles for and against the railroad, and it was the sub- 
ject of conversation everywhere among the citizens. A 
convention to consider the subject was to be held at 
Abingdon, and Lynchburg was to send delegates. A 
public meeting was therefore held at the Universalist 
church, presided over by M. Hart, mayor, and the 
delegates were appointed. There was much enthusiasm 
in the convention, and plans were made to start the new 
railroad. Some delegates, however, opposed it, saying 
that a McAdamized road would suit better and be less 
expensive. The bill was framed and presented to the 
legislature, but was defeated, and, strange as it may 
seem, the Southwest attributed its defeat to Lynchburg 
and threatened to withdraw its trade from here. 

A ray of hope seemed to dawnu when in January, 
1846, the legislature passed a bill for the establishment 
of a railroad from Salem to the Southwest. Although 
this did not touch Lynchburg, the leaders in the move- 
ment felt that they could easily get a road to Salem if 
the other were built. 

The town was groaning for a railroad to the South- 
west, but was not opposed to one East. From this direc- 
tion came a call for a convention to meet at Farmville 
May 7, to devise plans for building a road from Peters- 



LYXCHBUEG AXD ITS PEOPLE. 141 

burg to Lynchburg, to be called the Southside railroad. 
It was decided to proceed with the organization of the 
company, and Cliarles Sanford was made chief engineer. 

January of next year the legislature passed a bill to 
extend the canal to Buchanan. Lynchburg considered 
this damaging to its interest, as Buchanan had already 
been working to make itself the eastern terminus of 
the Southwestern road. This alarmed the town and a 
public meeting was called. Henry Davis was chairman, 
and J. G. Meem, secretary. Eev. John Early offered 
resolutions that a road starting at Lynchburg and going 
west be built and called the Richmond and Ohio road, 
and that the town subscribe to one thousand shares of 
stock on these conditions. The resolutions were adopted, 
and in May an election was held and the freeholders 
voted, two hundred and sixty-six to fourteen, to author- 
ize the council to subscribe on the above conditions. 

Interest began to deepen, and it was decided to hold 
a convention here September 22, to plan for the new 
railroad. Many delegates were present when the con- 
vention opened in the Universalist church. James 
Lyon was made president and R. H. Glass and William 
M. Blackford secretaries. Eev. John Early was made 
chairman of the committee on business. After many 
stirring speeches, it was resolved to ask the legislature 
to assist in building the road, and also to address the 
people of Richmond and the people along the proposed 
route, so as to get them to take stock. 

Rev. John Early, F. B. Deane, Jr., Judge Willliam 
Daniel, Colonel M. Langhorne, Jr., R. K. Cralle and R. 



hx 



142 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

G. Morris were appointed to confer with Richmond. 
They did so, but only to meet with another disappoint- 
ment. Kichmond replied that they would extend the 
Danville road to Salem and touch the canal at Buch- 
anan, and thus leave Lynchburg alone. Almost any 
other place would have given up under this discourage- 
ment, but Lynchburg's energy and persistency could 
stand even this. The motto was, "We must have a 
railroad, and it must start from Lynchburg," and dis- 
couragements seemed to feed the flame of desire. At 
a meeting held in November it was determined to 
ignore Richmond and build a road. Soon afterward 
the subscription books were opened at Henry Davis' 
store and a large amount of stock taken, but not 
enough to build the road ; so that it was decided to ask 
the town of seven thousand, six hundred inhabitants to 
take a half million dollars' worth of the stock. What 
nerve ! December 12, 1847, was the day set to decide 
the question. The tide was at flood and the people 
must serve now or lose their venture. The citizens 
arose to the occasion, and when the polls closed three 
hundred and forty-three had voted for the subscription 
and thirty-two against. The town was in ecstasies over 
the result, and appointed Rev. John Early to ask the 
legislature to legalize this subscription to the Richmond 
and Ohio road. The bill was passed January 18, 1848, 
The plucky little town tussled heroically with the 
great problem, and seemed so determined that nothing 
could loose its hold upon it. It was proposed to change 
the name of the road and ask again for help from the 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 143 

State, and Lynchburg had great hope of reoovering 
the position of fifteen years ago, when the canal de- 
feated the railroad. The Senate reported a bill to 
charter the East Tennessee and Virginia railroad, and 
the House reported a bill for the Lynchburg and Ten- 
nessee road. Both bills were defeated, because of the 
amount the State had to subscribe. Some said the mat- 
ter was settled now ; there would be no railroad for 
Lynchburg. But they did not know this people. The 
clause in regard to the State's aid was stricken out, and 
March 24, 1848, the road was incorporated. Nearly a 
million dollars had to be subscribed by June 1, or the 
charter would be forfeited. 

Now Lynchburg was to prove what it could do. The 
incorporators, Henry Davis, John G. Meem, Charles 
Henry Lynch, John R. McDaniel and Samuel Mc- 
Corkle, called a public meeting at the Universalist 
church. Rev. John Early was chairman. Speeches were 
made urging the people to secure the charter before 
June. Resolutions were passed thanking Charles L. 
Mosby and General O. G. Clay, our representatives in 
the legislature, for their faithful service, and requesting 
the mayor to take the vote on the town's subscribing 
$500,000 worth of stock, or guaranteeing six per cent, 
on that amount. The vote was taken, and resulted in 
two hundred and ninety-two for and thirty-four against 
the subscription. 

Monday, May 22, the subscription books were 
opened in the INIasonic hall. At 3 p. m. all the stores 
closed, and the people went to work in earnest. By 



144 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

June 1, more than enough had been subscribed and the 
charter was secured. Now Lynchburg was where it 
was in 1835. 

July 20, the company was organized, and Colonel 
Dimmock was selected to make the survey. 

Certainly Lynchburg had made a brave fight for its 
railroad, and deserved to succeed ; but even yet the 
question was not settled. March 6, 1849, a bill was 
passed by the legislature changing the name of the 
road to the Virginia and Tennessee road, and authoriz- 
ing a large subscription to the stock on behalf of the 
State. This made the Virginia and Tennessee road an 
assured fact, and it was organized, with General O. G. 
Clay, president ; F. B. Deane, vice-president ; F. G. 
Morrison, treasurer ; Colonel Garnett, chief engineer ; 
and Henry Davis, F. B. Deane, Thomas J. Boyd, B. 
F. Wysor, and Charles H. Lynch, directors. Propo- 
sals for building the first section, Lynchburg to Salem, 
were advertised for October 11, and the property at 
the end of the bridge on which the old ferry house stood 
was bought for a depot. 

The people now felt the joy of victory, and hoped 
soon to hear the hills echo with the sound of the loco- 
motive whistle. But another step must be taken. 
Even a railroad could not be without having thrown 
around it some of that savor of human life, sentiment. 
A public meeting was called December 10, at the 
Masonic hall, John G. Meem, chairman. Charles W. 
Christian offered this resolution : 

" Whereas, The citizens of Lynchburg desire publicly to mani- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 145 

fest their joy on the commencement of the Virghiia and Tennessee 
railroad, and usage of the age having sanctioned solemn and interest- 
ing ceremonies on occasions of this kind, 

Resolved, L That we find out when the work will begin. 

2. That a committee be appointed to invite the Governor, the 
Board of Public Works and the General Assembly. 

3. That a committee on arrangements be appointed, which shall 
have full charge of the affair." 

The resolutions were heartily passed, and R. K. 
Cralle, Judge D. A. Wilson, Edward INIatthews, John 
M. Otey, F. B. Deane, Jr., John M. Warwick and C. 
H. Lynch, were named as the committee. 

As giving expression to the feeling of the people, I 
quote a portion of an editorial written at this time : 

" Some time back a mass-meeting of fifty or sixty gathered at 
Kyle's corner to take steps for a railroad. They were called cracked- 
brained enthusiasts. But what have they done? What town of 
eight thousand inhabitants, and many of them slaves, has ever be- 
fore assumed a debt of half-million for such a work ? Our fellow- 
citizens have done their duty like men. They will in due time reap 
a rich reward. Already, in anticipation of it, our streets present in- 
creased bustle and activity. It wUl be a proud era in our town 
when some day in the autum of 1851 the iron horse is seen entering 
oar depot with a long train of cars at his heels, filled with the pro- 
ducts of the counties beyond the Ridge. It will be a prouder era 
when, some three or four years later, freight and passengers leaving 
Tennessee before sunrise will arrive here before sunset." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Wednesday, January 16, 1850, was a day long to be 
remembered in the history of Lynchburg. It was bitter 
cold, and the ground was covered with snow, but this 
had no eflPect upon the citizens, who were so heated by 
enthusiasm that little heed was given to the weather. 
At eleven o'clock a large crowd gathered in front of the 
Masonic hall, and when Governor John B. Floyd ar- 
rived he was greeted with a loud cheer. A procession 
was formed, headed by the Governor, General O. G. 
Glay, president of the Virginia and Tennessee railroad, 
and W. P. Tunstall, president of the Richmond and 
Danville railroad. Then followed the orators, clergy, 
directors of the new road, military companies, city 
officers and citizens on foot. The line of march was to 
Fifth, then down Main to Ninth and down Ninth to the 
cotton mill near. Eighth and Jefferson. When the 
crowd had gathered it was announced that the exercises 
would be opened with prayer by the Rev. John Early. 
Mr. Early, standing on the bridge which connected 
Jefferson street with the cotton mill, lifted his hands 
and called the assembly to prayer. As soon as quiet 
was secured he reached into his high beaver hat and 
took out a prayer, which he had written. Just as he 
was about to read, old Uncle Pomp, a slave standing 
near, in the surprise of the moment, forgot himself and 
exclaimed : " Dar, who-eer heurd de Lord writ to 'fore 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 147 

'bout de railroad." The preacher had to pause a while 
for the ripple of merriment to pass, and then he pro- 
ceeded to read the prayer. Hon. James K. Irvine was 
introduced, and made the speech of the occasion. He 
was followed by General Clay and C. F. Garnett. 
Governor Floyd responded in a short speech, and the 
party descended to the ground in front of the mill. 
General Clay handed the Governor a spade, and he threw 
up the first spade of dirt in the construction of Lynch- 
burg's first railroad, the Virginia and Tennessee. Then 
the president, directors, engineer of the road and many 
citizens followed, each throwing out a spade of dirt. 
In the meantime the crowd cheered, and the Mechanics' 
Artillery, under Captain Shields, fired a salute. 

At night a banquet was given at Dibrell's, afterward 
the City Hotel, corner Main and Sixth streets. Judge 
Daniel A. Wilson presided, and Robert J. Davis, Seth 
Halsey, J. H. Tyree, R. H. Glass, J. M. Speed, F. B. 
Deane, Jr., Dr. James Saunders and others responded 
to toasts. 

Thus did Lynchburg celebrate the beginning of an 
enterprise for which it had earnestly labored for nearly 
twenty years. 

The road from Petersburg to Lynchburg was now 
under contract, and the subscription books had been 
opened in the town. A number of the citizens took 
stock, but the corporation did not subscribe. The 
railroads were the absorbing topic at this time. A 
heated controversy, lasting for several months, was 
carried on in the papers as to whether the rails for the 



148 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Virginia and Tennessee road should be made here or 
bought in England. 

The efFects of the railroad upon the industrial in- 
terest of the town were very great. Property was in- 
creasing in value, and business was better than it had 
been for years. The capital employed in manufactur- 
ing was $795,800, and the number of hands engaged 
was two thousand, two hundred and eighty-one. The 
magnetic telegraph had been invented, and Lynchburg 
was endeavoring to establish a line between here and 
Richmond. The census this year showed a large in- 
crease in population. The figures were : 

White males, . . . . 2,335 Slaves, male, . . . . 2,061 

White female, .... 1,843 Slaves, female, . . . . 1,341 

Free black males, . . . 223 

Free black females, . . 2G8 Total, 8,071 

An increase of 1,676 over 1840. 

At this time a night-watch was established and a law 
passed requiring the courthouse bell to be rung at 9 and 
9:30 P. M., at which time all slaves, free negroes and 
mulattoes had to retire to their homes or be punished 
by the mayor. This was done because of the constant 
agitation of the slavery question, and for fear of an in- 
surrection. To further protect themselves, the Lynch- 
burg Southern Rights Association was organized, with 
R. G. Morris, president ; C. H. Lynch, vice-president, 
and J. W. Morgan and R. L. Kent, secretaries. 

Lynchburg held fast to its old custom of honoring 
the distinguished dead. A meeting was held in honor 
of John C. Calhoun, and addressed by R. K. Cralle. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 149 

July 9, President Zacharj Taylor died at the White 
House, and when the news reached here, Mayor Seth 
Halsey called a public meeting to arrange for suitable 
services. August 3 was selected, and when the day 
arrived business was suspended from ten to one o'clock, 
the bells of the town tolled, a salute was fired, and the 
houses w^ere draped in mourning. A hearse, drawn by 
six black horses, led the procession, then came the 
veterans of the Mexican war, temperance organizations, 
hose company, military companies, citizens, etc. They 
marched to the Third Street Methodist church, where 
the Rev. George W. Langhorne conducted the religious 
services and N. H. Campbell delivered the address. 

The events of 1851 were none the less interesting 
than those of the previous year. Every one was re- 
marking upon the prosperity of the town, but with it 
came many drawbacks. Some expert robbers were 
abroad in the community. Calhoun & Holt's dry goods 
store had been robbed, the safe of Thurman & School- 
field had been blown open, as had others, and private 
houses were entered. It seemed as if nothing were safe, 
and the people did not know what to do with their money 
and valuables. The worst part was that the officers 
were unable to capture the thief or thieves. Saturday 
night. May 10, several gentlemen were sitting up with 
the remains of Dr. Stevens, who had died at his resi- 
dence, corner Church and Tenth streets. About day 
they saw a man sneak from behind the Methodist 
church and go into the lot of Friend's warehouse. 
Officer Reid was told of it, and he proceeded to the 



150 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

place and arrested a white man. Before he had gone 
far with him he broke and ran, and, being closely pur- 
sued, ran into the river at the pump-house. Major Tal- 
bot secured a boat and arrested him. Search was in- 
stituted, and behind the Methodist church there was 
found a large quantity of goods, a considerable sum of 
money, a complete set of burglar's tools, and other 
things. Poage, for that was the robber's name, was tried 
and sentenced to the penitentiary. He was caught just in 
time, for he had arranged a candle in the belfry of the 
church, which he intended to light, setting fire to the 
church, and while the people were engaged at the fire 
he purposed blowing open the safe and robbing the 
Virginia Bank. Lynchburg heaved a sigh of relief 
when this professional burglar was safe behind the 
prison bars. 

William M. Blackford had retired from the Virgin- 
ian to accept the position of postmaster. Townley, 
Shields & Co. succeeded him, and they were succeeded 
by A. W. C. Terry and John C. Shields. The Vir- 
ginian was the Whig organ, while the Republican, 
under Glass & Hardwicke, represented the Democrats, 
and sometimes bitter feeling was aroused by political dis- 
cussions in these papers. These were the days of duels, 
and high-spirited men quickly resented what they did 
not like. 

It was Thursday, June 5, when the beauty of early 
summer crowned the surrounding hills, and the people 
with quiet joy hailed the calm, peaceful day. But before 
the morning hour of eight had passed the town was 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 151 

shrouded in gloom. James D. Saunders had taken 
offence at a piece that appeared in the Virginian, and 
on this fatal day he and A. W. C. Terry met in front 
of the market house and began firing at each other, and 
continued until both were mortally wounded. A. F. 
Biggers, chief of police, attempted to stop it, and he 
was twice wounded. Mr. Saunders died at five that 
afternoon, and Mr. Terry lingered until Sunday, the 
8th. Great was the grief produced by the sad death of 
these esteemed citizens, and the deepest sympathy was 
expressed for the bereaved. 

Lynchburg was in a building era, and it was time ; 
for the market house was an eyesore, the courthouse a 
disgrace, the slanting cellar doors on the sidewalks a 
nuisance, and the tar-barrel worse, for along Bridge 
street, from Main to the depot, buried on the sidewalk 
in front of each door, was a tar-barrel, with a hole 
large enough to get a measure into, in order to fill the 
wagoner's tar-bucket. A good many brick buildings 
of no architectual beauty had taken the place of frame 
houses, with the gable end to the street. The Franklin 
seemed to set the style for brick houses, and it had only 
a given number of rectangular walls, a conical roof, 
and the requisite number of chimneys, doors and win- 
dows. The building fever appears especially to have 
taken the churches. The Methodist Protestant church, 
under the pastorate of Rev. W. W. Walker, was re- 
paired the summer before, and now four new churches 
were under construction. A number of Methodists had 
branched off from the Third Street church, with the 



152 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

intention of building a new church on the corner of 
Court and Seventh streets. A lot was purchased from 
Jesse Hare for one thousand dollars, and the work be- 
gun. The building cost about nineteen thousand dol- 
lars, and was dedicated Sunday, June 29. The morn- 
ing sermon was preached by Rev. John Early, the 
afternoon by Rev. George W. Langhorne, the first pas- 
tor, and at night by John C. Granbery. The first 
board of stewards was Richard G. Morris, Ambrose 
Rucker, AVilliam L. Saunders, James L. Brown, E. D. 
Christian, and George G. Curie. The church was or- 
ganized with sixty members, and about the same num- 
ber of Sunday-school scholars. 

The Episcopal church, built in 1825, had been pulled 
down, and on June 11, 1850, the corner-stone of a new 
church was laid. Rev. W. H. Kinckle, the rector, who 
succeeded Rev. Thomas Atkinson in the summer of 
1843, made the address. This church was completed 
and dedicated November 3, Bishop John Johns preach- 
ing the sermon. The officers were : S. W. Shelton and 
J. M. Boyd, wardens ; W. M. Blackford, Henry A. 
Christian, J. L. Claytor, P. H. Gilmer, Seth Halsey, 
J. W. Hobson, Dr. Henry Latham, W. W. Mosby, S. 
Poindexter and A. Tompkins, vestrymen. 

The corner-stone of a new Baptist church was laid, 
November 12, on the site of the old one, which stood 
on Church, near Ninth street. Work had also been 
begun on the Second Presbyterian church, on the cor- 
ner of Ninth and Church streets. 

There were other important improvements of this 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 153 

year. In July an election bad been held to decide 
wbetber a new courtbouse should be built, and a large 
majority voted in the affirmative. The old frame 
Friends' warehouse had been pulled down and a new 
brick one was being built. August 14, the Richmond 
and Abingdon Telegraph Company was organized, with 
F. B. Deane, Jr., president, and W. M. Blackford, sec- 
retary and treasurer. The Lynchburg Gaslight Com- 
pany was started — J. R. McDaniel, president ; C. W. 
Christian, secretary. They were to furnish light at six 
cents a burner a night, and one burner was guaranteed 
to give more light than ten candles. The company did 
not begin work on their plant, however, until June next 
year. 

This was an eventful year even to the last, for late 
in December the canal was opened from Lynchburg to 
Buchanan. The people were amazed ; railroads, tele- 
graph, and gas-light. What would come next? 

The year 1852 was destined to bring as many notable 
events as either of its predecessors. The first was on 
February 18, when the hills were first awaked by the 
scream of a locomotive whistle. On this day the " Vir- 
ginia," the first engine on the Virginia and Tennessee 
road, was out " exercising." Great crowds gathered to 
witness the strange sight, for few had ever before seen 
a locomotive. When it started up the road the people 
cheered, and a wag of the town started to run after it. 
He saw it disappear in the tunnel, and then returned. 
The crowd laughed and jeered at him. He replied, 
" If I didn't catch the thing, I ran it in its hole." 



154 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Later an excursion was run to Forest, and on April 1 
the road was formally opened to Liberty. The cars, 
which were made by F. B. Deane, Jr., at the Piedmont 
Works, were considered very elegant, and perhaps they 
were for that time. 

Tn May the corporate limits were extended, but very 
little more was added to the town besides that taken in 
by the extension of January, 1826, when the ground 
between Lynch street and the river was incorporated. 

The people stopped July 29, to honor the memory 
or Henry Clay, who had died one month before. Busi- 
ness was closed from 8 a. m. to 2 p. m., and an oration 
was delivered at the Third Street Methodist church. 

Lynchburg's first daily paper was started August 10. 
It was the Virginian, then edited by James McDonald. 
Many said that it would soon fail, because a town could 
not support a daily paper. They were false prophets. 
The daily was in the town only seventeen days, for on 
August 27 the revised charter was adopted and Lynch- 
burg became a city. The city's birth was celebrated in 
a novel way. Its birth-day might be called dog-day 
as well, for the city was born amid hundreds of dead 
dogs. 

The market house had become the rendezvous for 
the town and country dogs (that was all it was fit for), 
and the streets were made their parade grounds. 
Charles W. Christian introduced an ordinance in the 
council taxing dogs, and also authorizing the police to 
kill any they saw without their owner. The ordinance 
was passed, and the police immediately put it in force, 



LyJS'CHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 155 

and they did their work thoroughly, carrying out the 
very letter of the law ; for everywhere there was a 
dead dog, ou the streets and in their owners' lots. They 
had been shot and poisoned to such an extent that it 
seemed as if the seven plagues had struck the dog colony. 
The owners raged, and as soon as possible the policemen, 
who had acted as dog-slayers, were arrested and brought 
before the mayor. A great crowd attended the trial, 
and when the men were sent to jail, cheer after cheer 
arose, and tar-barrels were burnt in front of the mayor's 
office. 

This was but the beginning of the dog troubles. 
On the night of the 27th, some citizens disguised as 
Indians carried dead dogs on a litter and placed them 
in the yards of the councilmeu. Mr. Christian, the 
patron of the bill, came in for his special share. Next 
morning the following card appeared in the paper : 

City of Lynchburg, 11 o'clock Friday night, 

August 27, 1852. 
3fr. Editor : — Our revised charter making the to^rn of Lynchburg 
a city went into operation to-day. It will doubtless be interesting 
abroad to know how the occasion was celebrated. Our streets have 
been prowled through to-night by a band of about fifty of the 
" Creek Tribe," bearing in mournful procession the lifeless body of 
one of their companions (a dog). The procession halted in front of 
my residence about 10 o'clock, just as the family were retiring for 
the night, and called for a speech. Some howled like wolves, some 
barked like spaniels and others yelped like frightened puppies. 
After addressing tliem as a pack of puppies that had great need of 
dread of the operation of the dog law, I retired into the house, 
when, as if apprehending some danger, they suddenly broke and dis- 
persed in great confusion, leaving the carcass of their deceased com- 
rade alone and exposed in the street. Except the throwing of sticks 



156 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and stones at my palings and window blinds, the firing of a few 
pistols, frightening the females of my family, and the annoyance to the 
neighborhood, I know of no damage, unless the shins of the crowd 
suffered in their tumultuous stampede. 

Charles W. Christian. 

Trouble increased. The city council held a called 
meeting. Present : John M. Otey, president ; Samp- 
son Diuguid, Thomas O. Acree, Jesse Hare, Henry 
Davis, John R. McDaniel, C. W. Christian, T. D. Jen- 
nings, "William P. Taliaferro, George G. Curie, William 
Crumpton and John Carey. After a formal statement 
of the grievances, it was decided that the laying of dog 
corpses in their front yards was an insult to the honor- 
able body. A new election was ordered immediately, 
and all hands resigned. The idea of a city without a 
council stirred the citizens so that they called a public 
meeting for August 30 in the Methodist Protestant 
church. Charles H. Lynch was chairman. Judge 
Daniel A. Wilson, John M. Speed and George Perci- 
val made feeling and appropriate speeches. Resolu- 
tions were passed deprecating the behavior of the " In- 
dians" in front of the councilmen's residences, and 
earnestly requesting the gentlemen to recall their resig- 
nation. \ 

Another called meeting of the council was held next 
day, and Charles H. Lynch presented the action of 
the citizens' meeting. This was as oil upon the turbu- 
lent waters, and the honorable body rescinded their 
former action and recalled the order for a new election. 

The closing scene of the comedy was in the Circuit 
court, whither the case against the policemen had been 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 157 

appealed from the Hustings court. Major James Gar- 
land appeared for the Commonwealth, and Judge Daniel 
Wilson and N. H. Campbell for the dog-slayers. Thus 
closed the doff-fierht that heralded the birth of the Hill 
City. 

The railroad was now experiencing a new trouble. 
There seemed to be some defect about the locomotives, 
nearly all of those purchased having blown up. The 
first was the " Lynchburg," which blew up about a 
mile from Forest and killed a man named Wood, from 
Boston, and Henry Long, of this place. 

The Second Presbyterian church, corner of Ninth 
street, was finished this year, and on October 21 the 
Presbyterian Synod of Virginia, New School, met here. 
Rev. C R. Vaughan, pastor of the First church, was 
invited to a seat in the body. The pastors of the church 
since Rev. Jacob D. Mitchell were : Rev. John L. 
Kirkpatrick, to April, 1841; Rev. Stephen Taylor, 
stated supply, to March, '42 ; Rev. Edward H. Cump- 
ton, to '47 ; Rev. E. G. Newlin, '48 to July, '52 ; from 
August, '52, Rev. Jacob D. Mitchell again. 

Rev. A. Doniphan was closing a successful work at 
the Methodist Protestant church. The new Baptist 
church was not completed until next year, and was 
dedicated March 13, the pastor, Rev. J. L. Prichard, 
preaching the sermon. 

Daniel Webster died October 24, and a meeting was 
called to arrange for suitable services. Robert J. Davis 
was apjjointcd to deliver the oration, and, after post- 
poning it several times on account of the weather, he 



158 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

delivered it, January 6, in the Methodist Protestant 
church. 

It was announced that two new papers would be 
started, the Temjiei-ance Reformer and the Express. In 
February, R, H. Glass left the Republican to accept 
the position of postmaster. 

The Franklin hotel, so closely connected with Lynch- 
burg for a long time, passed away April 1, when 
Thomas Rosser refitted the place and opened it as the 
Norvell House. An old land-mark was about to pass 
away also. The citizens had voted for a new court- 
house, and after much discussion had decided to build 
it on the site of the old one. The May term of the 
Hustings court was the last held in the old building. 
After that it was torn down to make place for the new 
one. 

Along with these and other things connected with the 
early history of the town, passed away one of the oldest 
and best citizens. Rev. W. S. Reid, or Father Reid, as 
he was affectionately called, died June 21, at the good 
age of seventy-six. He did much for the town as a 
preacher, teacher and public citizen. He gave the ground 
and built the first Presbyterian church in Lynchburg. 
His funeral took place from the church he had served so 
long on the afternoon of the 25th, Rev. C. R. Yaughan, 
the pastor, preaching the funeral sermon. Business was 
suspended from 4 to 6 o'clock, and a great concourse of 
people followed the remains to the Presbyterian ceme- 
tery, where they were laid to rest. 

The next Sunday nearly every minister in the city 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 159 

spoke of him from his pulpit. Kev. W. H. Kinckle 
said : " I have known Dr. Reid for ten years. I never 
saw him in any other temper than that I want to be in 
the last moment of my life. I have lost a friend whose 
character, beautiful with the reflected graces of his 
Lord, was a model I delight to study." 

The Virginia Conference met at Court Street church, 
October 26, Bishop Payne presiding. 

A hand fire engine, the " McDaniel," was purchased 
by the city as a further protection against fire. 

Two improvements were introduced early in 1854, 
both of which added greatly to the comfort of living. 
The fire-place with its hangers, hooks, pots, skillets 
and other instruments, was passing away to make place 
for the cooking stove. The slaves found much diffi- 
culty handling the " new thing," and in truth they 
rather objected to its introduction, because when it put 
fire-place cooking out of use, that king of the kitchen 
they loved so well, the ash cake, went with it. The 
other was gas in the houses. True, there was much 
tearing of walls and floors to put in the pipes, but what 
was this when it was remembered that there was to be 
no more snuffing of dips and candles which rather 
made darkness visible than gave light. Then, too, 
gas posts were erected on Main and Church streets, and 
on May 16 these streets were "brilliantly lighted." 
When the Episcopal Council met here two days after- 
wards the citizens were proud to show the lighted 
streets which only cities could afford. 

It was during this month that a citizen of Lynch- 



160 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

burg, who had been promineut in all of its affairs, was 
greatly honored by his church. Rev. John Early was 
elected a Bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, at the General Conference then in session at 
Columbus, Ga. He joined the church in 1804 under 
Stith Mead, was ordained a deacon by Bishop Asbury 
in 1809, and an elder by Bishop McKendree in 1811. 
Early in life he came to Lynchburg, where he spent the 
rest of his days. 

The money question gave the city a great deal of 
trouble. Much to the annoyance of the people, the 
place was deluged with small notes and notes for a frac- 
tional part of a dollar, issued by banks and private per- 
sons, called " shinplasters." A public meeting was called 
May 31 to take such action as would bring relief. AV. T. 
Yancey was chairman. After several statements of the 
trouble, the meeting resolved that small note currency 
was an evil ; that they would discountenance the use of 
notes under five dollars and all "shinplasters," and that 
after June they would not receive any bank note under 
five dollars. This had the desired effect, and in a short 
while nearly all small notes disappeared. 

Now that Lynchburg had secured one railroad it 
seemed easy to get others. Already, at a public meet- 
ing called by Mayor Branch, fifty-three citizens had 
been appointed to canvass for subscriptions to extend 
the Orange and Alexandria road to this place. An 
effort was now being made to get the city to subscribe 
one hundred thousand dollars. This was not success- 
ful, but enough private citizens took stock to secure the 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 161 

enterprise, and Blackwater warehouse was bought for 
the depot. 

Work on the Southside road had been rapidly pro- 
gressing, and at 2:30 p. m., November 2, the first train 
reached here over that road — that is, it reached the 
Island depot, for this was its entrance into the city. It 
was not allowed to connect with the Virginia and Ten- 
nessee road, for all cars had to break bulk here and the 
freight be hauled in wagons over the bridge near Hurt's 
mill, and thence to the boat landing and the other 
depot. A meeting was called at the Norvell House to 
arrange for a celebration at the opening of the new 
road, but it never came off, for a railroad had become 
rather a common thing. 

Every year brought some marked improvement in 
the new city. In January, 1855, a large public hall 
was opened over Friends' warehouse, and called, in 
honor of the owner, Dudley Hall. This was much 
needed, as the population was increasing. Henry A. 
Wise christened the new hall with a long speech, in 
w^hich he announced many reasons why he should be 
made governor of Virginia. 

Colonel William A. Talbot, who left here and organized 
a company for service in the Mexican war, died in this 
city February 19. The people honored his memory. 
There was a death from pneumonia, April 19, that 
caused much sorrow. " Blind Billy " died. He was a 
dark mulatto, a perfect Chesterfied in his manner, and 
a wonderful performer on the fife. As a musical genius, 
he was perhaps equal to Blind Tom. It is doubtful if 



162 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a better performer on a fife than he ever lived. One 
of his favorite pieces was " Wandering Willie," which 
he played with so much pathos as to bring tears to 
the eyes, although it had been often heard. In nearly 
every military parade his fife accompanied the drums, 
and it was not the proper thing to have a ball or party 
without him. Moonlight nights was the time he loved 
to play above all others. There was scarcely a bright 
night that the sweet, plaintive notes of his fife were not 
heard. He was raised and owned by Dr. Howell 
Davies, but a subscription was raised in the town and 
his freedom purchased. He was known throughout 
the State, and the news of his death caused much sad- 
ness. The mute musician was laid to rest in the 
Methodist cemetery, and his wife, Ann Armistead, 
erected a tombstone to his memory, on which is carved 
a broken fife. 

The new courthouse was completed May 25. The 
old clock that had lain on the hillside since old St. 
Paul's was pulled down, now found a resting place in 
the new building. At first the committee objected to 
putting it there, saying that they could not frame a 
face large enough to be seen all over the city, but 
finding public opinion against them, they yielded. 
The design for this building, which was the second 
adopted, was made by W. S. Ellison. Hallet & Mace 
were the contractors at twenty-two thousand dollars. 
Judge William Leigh christened the new courthouse, 
first holding circuit court there. Not long after the 
building was completed, the foundation began to give 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 163 

away, and many predicted that it would soon fall. The 
prophets have passed away, the courthouse still stands, 
and will stand for years to come. 

The summer of 1855 was one long to be remembered, 
because of the gloom cast over the city. An accident 
occurred here that caused great sorrow. Gas had not 
been used long, and the people had learned but little 
about it. About one o'clock on the morning of July 
17, James Boyd, who lived at the corner of Tenth and 
Federal streets, where John B. Winfree now lives, 
heard a loud crash in the hall, which sounded like the 
falling of the chandelier. He quickly arose and, secur- 
ing a lighted candle, started down the steps. Leaning 
over the banister, he held the candle near the ceiling to 
see what had happened. Immediately there followed 
a terrific explosion, which shook the whole house and 
alarmed the neighborhood. When the family rushed 
out they were shocked to find the house much damaged 
and the lifeless form of Mr. Boyd lying upon the floor. 
This sad death of one of Lynchburg's prominent law- 
yers and honored citizens brought sadness to the hearts 
of many. 

Closely following this came a pitiful cry from the 
cities by the sea, Norfolk and Portsmouth. Through 
the wickedness or criminal carelessness of some one, a 
ship had been allowed to come to Portsmouth with yel- 
low fever on board. The disease spread rapidly, and 
all who could left for the mountains. Lynchburg 
opened wide its door and invited all who wanted to 
come here. Every train was crowded with refugees. 



164 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

but there were many who could not get away. The 
plague spread until the condition of the two places be- 
came deplorable. In Norfolk it was painful to walk 
the streets ; there was a sense of loneliness and melan- 
choly never before known. On streets that had been 
crowded not a human being or living creature of any 
kind was seen. The only sound was that heard once a 
day when a heavy wagon came rumbling along, stop- 
ping at one house and then another, until it had gathered 
its load of dead bodies, and then proceeded to the ceme- 
tery. 

Portsmouth was no better. The town presented a 
gloomy aspect. There was not a magistrate or con- 
stable there ; the council was without a quorum, and 
nearly all the town officers were gone. The stores and 
banks were closed ; the market was deserted ; private 
dwellings were tenantless, many of them open, the 
owners having died and there being no one to close 
them. Hotels and boarding-houses, and in fact nearly 
everything, was closed up. The Angel of Death was 
hovering over these places, and the people were falling 
like leaves after the frost. 

Everything seemed deserted. No boat broke the 
scum on the surface of the water, and the birds even 
left the plague-stricken cities. One day a welcome 
sound was heard ; it was the whistle of a boat that had 
come from Baltimore with a load of coffins. When 
the steamer reached the wharf there were more there 
waiting for coffins than could be supplied from the 
boat. Soon coffins could not be had, and bodies had 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 165 

to be wrapped and driven out in wagons and carts by 
negro drivers, there being none other able to serve. 
Hundreds of children were left orphans, and frequently 
they were found in the house with father and mother 
both lying dead. Sometimes as many as ninety died 
in a day in the two places. Many of the doctors and 
preachers remained to care for the sick, until they were 
taken down. Among the preachers were the Catholic 
priestSj Revs. Anthony Dibrell and D. P. Wills, of the 
Methodist church, Rev. Mr. McClelland, and others 
whose names I do not know. The scene beggars de- 
scription. 

Lynchburg felt the woe of the stricken cities, and 
immediately called a public meeting. Judge Daniel 
A. Wilson presided. Captain John M. Otey offered 
a resolution to appoint a committee to solicit sub- 
scriptions for the sufferers, to extend our sympathy 
to the afflicted cities, and to offer them the hospitality 
of Lynchburg without quarantine regulations. Dex- 
ter Otey, Samuel B. Thurman, J. William Murrell, J. 
William Buckner, A. B. Rucker, James M. Cobbs, 
James F. Payne and D. C. T. Peters were appointed 
on the committee. 

The committee went to work, and, with the assist- 
ance of the churches and benevolent associations, raised 
about five thousand dollars. Baltimore sent about 
twenty thousand dollars, and other places likewise 
helped. The epidemic continued until frost, and, al- 
though many refugeed, about fifteen hundred and 
seventy-five people died of the terrible plague. 



166 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

An old citizen passed away August 20, when Benja- 
min Blackford died at the home of his son, W. M. 
Blackford. He was a great admirer of General Wash- 
ington, and loved to tell of the impression made on 
him when he saw Washington riding his black horse. 

Another modern improvement was introduced in 
September, when the city built its first sewer. Such 
was its importance that a special notice was given in 
the papers. The writer said : "A sewer is now being 
made, something that ought to have been done fifty 
years ago. A decent appearance, a due solicitude for 
health, and a proper regard for public olfactories, would 
have suggested and required this improvement away 
back in the most old-fogyish days of the burgh. Mar- 
ket street is looking up ; let others follow." In these 
days of sanitary arrangements we look back and won- 
der how the place existed so long without that public 
necessity, a sewer. 

Two men visited Lynchburg at this time, both noted, 
but somewhat different in the character of their work. 
George Bancroft, the historian, honored the city with a 
short stay at the Washington hotel, and Wyman, with 
his talking boy, spelling "sugar," "dictionary," etc., 
and with his egg-bag, was entertaining large crowds of 
young people at Dudley Hall. To the boys and girls 
there was nothing more important in the history of the 
place than the annual visits of Wyman, the wizard. 

The local editors of the newspapers at this time were 
fortunate above their brothers, in that they had a never- 
failing subject about which they could write when items 



LYNCHBUKG AND ITS PEOPLE. 167 

•were scarce. For many years the old market house 
afforded an excellent opportunity for the display of 
rhetoric. It was called " an intolerable old sore," " an 
old shanty that blocked the streets." Another wrote, 
" Our market house is a disgrace to humanity, to society, 
to civilization. It is ugly, dark, small, filthy, incon- 
venient, in the way, out of place, and in all respects a 
humbug and a nuisance. The law imposing a fine of 
five dollars upon every white person passing the mar- 
ket house Anthout holding his nose, has not been re- 
pealed. On the contrary, the exigency of the times, 
and the flavor of the locality, demand a doubling of the 
fines. Such are the conditions that even the hogs die 
rather than be dissected in this filthy place." Not- 
withstanding these assaults, the much-abused old place 
continued to feed the city for many years afterward. 
An attempt was made to place a sacred influence about 
the veneral)le pile, when Peter Howell, the wandering 
missionary, preached to large crowds in front of the 
door. A familiar face about the place was missed, for 
John Thurman, an old citizen, and for a long time 
clerk of the market, passed away October 9. 

Lynchburg had always taken a great deal of interest 
in education, and could boast of excellent schools. 
Among them, John Gary's school for boys, JNIrs. Bots- 
ford's school, Mrs. Kirkpatrick's, then in its nineteenth 
year. Misses Gordon's, in the twenty-sixth, and others. 
Now a movement was made that surpassed all others in 
importance. Rev. S. K. Cox, D. D., formerly presi- 
dent of Madison College, visited Lynchburg in July to 



168 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

see what the prospects were for establishing a college 
here for young men. He met with a generous response 
from the citizens, and at once proceeded to work to es- 
tablish the institution. October 1, the Lynchburg 
College, with one hundred students, began its first ses- 
sion in Jesse Hare's three-story brick tenement on Court 
street, between Sixth and Seventh. The faculty was : 
Rev. S. K. Cox, president, and professor of Mental 
and Moral Science ; William Carroll, Greek and Litera- 
ture ; J. G. Mathews, Latin; J. T. Murfree, Mathe- 
matics and Natural Science ; J. Adolphi Sartori, Modern 
Language ; Dr. Daniel Langhorne, Anatomy and Physi- 
ology ; Samuel Garland, Jr., Constitutional Law; Rev. 
A. Doniphan, general agent. John R. McDaniel was 
president of the board of trustees, E. D. Christian, 
secretary, and M. S. Langhorne, treasurer. 

Rev. R. B. Thomson, D. D., pastor of the Methodist 
Protestant church here, presented the college to his 
conference at Abingdon, and they took it under the 
care of the church and appointed a large number of 
trustees. There was a military feature about it ; the 
students wore uniform, and were regularly drilled by 
the professor of mathematics. 

The idea of the founders was to erect a suitable 
building for the institution. Many sites were suggested 
and after much discussion the Cralle place, which was 
that square bounded by Tenth, Eleventh, Floyd and 
Wise streets, was selected. A considerable amount 
had been raised by Mr. Doniphan, so that the property 
was purchased and the building begun. The corner- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 169 

stone was laid June 26, 1856. Rev. E,. B. Thomson 
held the religious services, John R, McDaniel, W. M., 
conducted the Masonic ceremonies, and Samuel Garland 
made the address. Colonel M. Langhorne, Jr., was 
chief marshal. The day preceding this the first com- 
mencement was held at Dudley Hall. The Lynch 
building on Fifth street, where the public school now 
stands, was used until the college was fit for occupancy, 
which Avas in 1857. 

The greatest snow storm that ever visited this section 
ushered in the year 1856. It is referred to as the 
" great snow of '56." January 8, snow fell to the 
depth of fifty-eight inches, and before any melted three 
separate snow storms followed. In some places even 
the fences were hidden from sight. It was a severe 
winter ; cattle were frozen, traffic was suspended, many 
people suiFered and some even froze to death. 

Notwithstanding the cold, social duties were kept up. 
It was at this time that the Lynchburg Musical Associa- 
tion was organized. J. F. Payne, H. G. Latham, Dr. 
D. H. Langhorne, and Jehu Williams were the com- 
mittee on organization. Professor Bozzoatra was the 
musical director. The association gave many pleasant 
entertainments, and was always ready to sing at fune- 
rals and on other public occasions. 

One by one the old citizens who had labored for the 
welfare of Lynchburg were passing away. The vener- 
able Sampson Diuguid died, and his funeral was con- 
ducted from Court Street church, February 18. The 
hose company, of which he was chief engineer for a 



170 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

long time, the Sons of Temperance and a large crowd 
of citizens were present to pay their last respects to the 
man whose benevolence and unwavering correctness of 
conduct had endeared him to many. For years he had 
been the undertaker of the place, and during that time 
had consigned hundreds and thousands to the cold 
chambers of the dead, and now in obedience to the in- 
exorable call he too had gone down into the silence of 
the tomb. 

Captain Pleasant Preston, another prominent and 
useful citizen, died at his home, corner Jackson and 
Eleventh streets, April 23. He was a member of the 
council, a director in the Merchants Bank and in the 
Lynchburg Hose and Fire Insurance Company. The 
esteem in which he was held was shown by the large 
assembly that gathered at his funeral. 

As the population of the city of the living grew, the 
inhabitants of the city of the dead increased. The two 
cemeteries in use were not sufficient. Bishop John 
Early and others planned to open a new one. In 1854 
a piece of ground beyond the city limits, on the New 
London road, was purchased from John Crouse. An 
association was formed, consisting of Bishop Early, 
president ; A. B. Rucker, treasurer ; John R. McDaniel, 
John Hollins, Colonel M. Langhorue, William M. 
Blackford, James L. Brown and George G. Curie. 
William Shoemaker, Micajah Moorman, and others in 
the neighborhood, objected to having a graveyard so 
near them. They therefore sued out an injunction to 
restrain the promoters from carrying out their plans. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 171 

The suit was tried at Campbell court and the injunction 
dissolved. April 2, 1855, John Notman, of Phila- 
delphia, was employed to lay off the land in lots, and 
John Caruthers was appointed superintendent. An 
advertisement appeared in the papers stating that lots 
could be purchased of A. B. Rucker, and soon many 
applications were made. 

The opponents of the movement did not cease to 
fight. They gave notice through the papers that they 
would proceed at law against any who deposited their 
dead in this place, because it was hurtful to the health 
and to the property of the neighborhood. This had 
no effect, and on October 18, 1855, the first grave was 
opened, that of Howell Robinson. It was a military 
fimeral, for the undertakers, G. A. & D. P. Diuguid, 
the pall-bearers and others, armed themselves with pis- 
tols, because it had been rumored that they would be 
prevented by force from burying any one in the new 
graveyard. Better judgment prevailed, and the dead 
was quietly laid in the grave. June 17, 1856, Spring 
Hill cemetery was formally dedicated. Pev. Dr. R. B. 
Thomson conducted religious services, R. K. Cralle 
made the address, and the Lynchburg Musical Associa- 
tion rendered several selections. Bishop Early pro- 
nounced the benediction. For the first two years there 
were few interments. Much bitter feeling was stirred 
up over the matter, and friends stopped speaking ; but 
that passed away, and ere long the opposers Math the 
friends of the work slept beneath its sod. Often from 
the mourning town has the long concourse, with slow. 



172 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

funereal pace, entered into beautiful Spring Hill and 
laid to rest amid its tranquil scenes the precious remains 
of a loved one, until to-day thousands here await the 
Resurrection Morning. 

Two days after the dedication a meeting was called 
at the Second Presbyterian church to organize a new 
inter-denominational religious work. There was a rep- 
resentative gathering, and much interest was shown. 
Here the first Young Men's Christian Association was 
organized. Thomas J. Kirkpatrick was elected presi- 
dent ; W. A. Miller, M. S. Langhorne, T. H. Early, 
C. A. Calhoun and P. D. Christian, vice-presidents; 
Silas Whitehead, recording secretary ; R. G. H. Kean, 
corresponding secretary ; J. F. Payne, treasurer ; D. B. 
Payne, librarian, and J. A. Hamner, Henry Victor, H. 
A. Burroughs, H. C. Treakle and J. H. Winston, di- 
rectors. The association gave promise of a useful career, 
and soon began to hold daily noon-day prayer-meetings, 
which were productive of much good. 

The prosperity of this year was noticeable, and as a 
result many improvements were made. The people of 
Diamond Hill petitioned the council for a foot-bridge 
across the ravine on Church street between Twelfth and 
Fourteenth. Their petition was denied, so the ladies of 
the hill, under the leadership of Mrs. M. S. Langhorne, 
undertook to raise the money. They succeeded well, 
and soon the branch was spanned by an imposing 
wooden structure. The Virginia and Tennessee road 
was completed to Bristol, and on October 1 the first 
train went through. The packet landing and the 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 173 

depot were near together, and there was need of a good 
hotel nearer than up town. Charles H. Lynch built a 
large frame hotel, which was called the Lancester 
House, and later the Piedmont In late years the 
old building was moved to Madison street and used as 
a tobacco factory until it burned down. 

Before the year closed two more prominent citizens 
died, James D. Gregory, November 13, and Peter 
Dudley, December 3. 

At the begiiming of 1857 Lynchburg was calm and 
peaceful, but this state did not continue long ; great 
excitement prevailed and much alarm was felt. The 
citizens retired at night with fear lest before morning 
they would be wakened in a burning house, or perhaps 
in a hotter place. Some parties had taken it upon 
themselves to set fire to the town, and it looked as if 
they would succeed, for there were three or five fires a 
night. Among the buildings fired was the "Old 
White House," then used as a boarding department for 
the college ; then there were stables, out-houses and 
sheds that seemed to be the special object of the fire- 
bugs' care. The papers declared that if this business 
kept up they would have to have a special fire editor 
to write the accounts of the various fires. Mayor W. 
D. Branch offered five hundred dollars for the rascals, 
and one night the people thought they had them. It 
was reported that a man was in St. Paul's church try- 
ing to set it a-fire. Soon a large crowd gathered and 
each one was anxious to catch the criminal and get the 
money; still every man had a secret fear lest the 



174 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

much dreaded fire fiend should run his way. If he 
were in the church he got away, and while the people 
watched he set fire to the Norvell House stable. The 
mention of that word makes us think that this fellow 
was kin to one in our day who had the same proclivities. 
The fires ceased after several months, perhaps because 
the fire-bugs got tired, for they were not caught. Thus 
closed Lynchburg's second experience in this business. 

In April of this year Charles W. Button took charge 
of the Virginian. The next month John Whitehead, 
an honored citizen, and superintendent of Third Street 
Methodist Sunday-school, died. 

The prosperity of the city received a sudden and 
serious check in October. A monetary panic spread 
over the whole country. Money became very scarce, 
mills and factories stopped work, private concerns 
failed, and in many places the banks were forced to 
suspend. The trouble reached Lynchburg and some 
individuals failed, but not a bank suspended. The 
effects of this lasted some time, but after the first few 
months of 1858 the city began to assume its normal 
condition. 

There was much discussion at this time over the 
preservation of the Union. The motto on the T^?- 
ginian was "The rights of States and the Union of 
States." A distinguished speaker came here May 4, 
to speak on the subject. For some reason there had 
been a failure to prepare a suitable reception, so that 
arrangements had to be hastily made. The faculty and 
students of the college, with a large number of citizens, 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 175 

went down to the packet landing to meet Edward 
Everett. Judge Daniel Wilson welcomed him, and 
then headed the line of march to J. M. Speed's, where 
he was entertained. At night he spoke at Dudley Hall 
to a crowded house on " The benefits resulting from 
the Union." He besought his hearers to preserve "the 
Union of Washmgton." It was a great speech and was 
well received by the audience, especially the Unionists. 

Rev. Dr. R. B. Thomson was now president of the 
Lynchburg College, Rev. Dr. Cox having taken charge 
of the female school, formerly conducted by the Misses 
Gordon. Patrick H. Cabell had the chair of Greek. 
There was some trouble this year with the literary so- 
cieties, the Cliosophia and the Adelphian. Both sold 
their furniture and disbanded because recitations were 
carried on on Saturday, and they were required to meet 
in the day. The third annual commencement of the 
college was held at Dudley Hall July 1. The Lynch- 
burg boys who were awarded distinctions at this com- 
mencement were E. "VY. Horner, E. D. Boyd, H. H. 
Dinwiddle, J. K. Seabury, John W. Daniel, John H. 
Lewis, R. D. Early, E. S. Gregory, A. F. Biggers, T. 
]S\ Davis, R. ^y. Page, R. T. Lacy, G. K. Turner, and 
W. L. Goggin. The first to receive the A. B. degree 
was Eugene Blackford, at the commencement preced- 
ing this one. 

Lynchburg felt a deep interest in the great celebra- 
tion of September 1, in New York, over the laying of 
the Atlantic cable, and the name of Cyrus W. Field was 
in the mouth of every one. 



176 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The effects of the panic were passing away, and the 
city was progressing as if nothing had happened. In 
June the Lynchburg Agricultural and Mechanical So- 
ciety was organized, and grounds about where the Or- 
phan Asylum now is were secured and put in order. 
October 19 they held their first fair. Rev. George W. 
Carter, pastor of Court Street church, opened with 
prayer, and W. D. Branch, the mayor, made the ad- 
dress. 

About this time two new churches were under con- 
struction. In 1854 the wind had damaged the steeple 
of the First Presbyterian church and rendered it un- 
safe. An attempt was made to repair the damage, but 
it could not be permanently fixed without great cost. 
It was therefore decided to build a new church. Work 
was begun, and on Sunday, November 14, it was dedi- 
cated. Rev. B. M. Smith, D. D., preached the sermon 
from 1 Tim. 3:15. It will be remembered that Rev. 
W. S. Reid began his ministry here in 1808. In 1815 
he organized a society with fifteen members, and began 
to build a church. He was installed pastor in 1822, 
and continued until 1848, when Rev. C. R. Vaughan 
succeeded him. Mr. Vaughan projected the new church, 
which cost fourteen thousand dollars, and resigned in 
1857. August of next year Rev. James C. Ramsey 
was installed pastor, at which time the congregation 
was worshiping in Masonic Hall. 

On April 6 of next year the corner-stone of the new 
Third Street Methodist church, now Centenary, was 
laid on the opposite side of the street. Rev, A. G. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 177 

Brown was pastor. John R. ]\IcDaniel, grand master, 
conducted the Masonic ceremonies, and Thomas White- 
head made the address. 

Several old and honored citizens died in the mean- 
time : Henry A. Christian, November 18 ; Christopher 
Winfree, December 12 ; and, February 3, Captain 
John M. Otey. These men had been useful and public- 
spirited citizens, and much sorrow was caused by their 
death. 

Several things of interest might here be mentioned 
in passing. In August, Robert Owen offered a bill in 
the council to change the names of the streets and 
alleys to their present names. The Sons of Malta, a 
social organization, was flourishing at this time, and 
Bill, Sprouts and Spot Rider, two Lynchburg cele- 
brities, began to attract public notice. The council ap- 
pointed a committee to select a site for a new market, 
and, to keep the old one from being deserted, passed 
an ordinance forbidding the sale of fresh meat, vege- 
tables, butter, etc., elsewhere in the city during market 
hours. 

Many great discussions were going on in regard to 
slavery, and questions connected with it. Lynchburg 
was deeply interested in it, but was not as much ex- 
ercised over it as the abolitionists were. Little appre- 
hension was felt that the property in slaves was in 
danger. The buying and selling of negroes was going 
on as if nothing was being said. The "nigger-traders" 
were coming and going, and Woodruff's jail, on Lynch 
street, between Ninth and Tenth, where the traders 



178 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

kept their slaves, was well patronized. Some feared 
trouble, but if it came, it would be in the next genera- 
tion. The people were interested in building a railroad 
from Lynchburg to North Carolina, and a meeting to 
promote it was held at the Washington hotel. Busi- 
ness was moving quietly on when, on October 18, the 
city was thrown into a state of intense excitement by 
the news received. The day before a fanatical aboli- 
tionist, John Brown, with twenty-two associates, six of 
whom were negroes, had surprised Harper's Ferry, and 
taken the arsenal and armory. They stopped the trains 
and called upon the slaves to arise and make war upon 
the white people, promising to arm them and lead them. 
Some said the reports were exaggerated, others claimed 
that half had not been told. Many expected a general 
uprising among the slaves, followed by bloodshed, fire 
and death. A greater uneasiness was felt here when it 
was remembered that there was not a military company 
in the place, a stack of arms or a piece of ordnance. 
Several attempts had been made to organize companies, 
but they had not proved successful. Men were examin- 
ing their guns and pistols and putting them in order, 
so that they would be ready for immediate use if the 
need arose. 

Colonel Robert E. Lee with his command was imme- 
diately ordered to Harper's Ferry. He soon reached the 
place, attacked the insurrectionists, retook the armory, 
and captured John Brown and his followers who had not 
been killed. They were turned over to the State by 
the United States soldiers, and were tried and hanged. 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 179 

Great relief was felt Avhen the news of the capture 
came, but worse things were expected; the citizens 
therefore proceeded to organize military companies. 
jSToverabcr 1, a large meeting was held in a room over 
Payne & Blackford's book-store. R. G. H. Kean 
called the meeting to order, and William M. Blackford 
was made chaii-man. Forty-three had signed a paper 
pledging themselves to form a military company. A 
committee was appointed to draft a constitution, and also 
a committee to procure arms. The new company was 
called the Home Guards. The by-laws were adopted, 
and the company regularly organized, November 8, 
with Samuel Garland, Jr., captain. 

The " Barefoot Militia," so called from the various 
kinds of dress the citizens wore when they drilled once 
a year with sticks and umbrellas, had even gone down, 
and this was reorganized as the One Hundred and 
Thirty-first Virginia militia, under Colonel W. B. Brown. 
Three other military companies were organized — the 
"Wise Volunteer Troop," Captain Carlton Radford, 
at the Norvell House November 9 ; the Rifle Guards, 
Captain M. S. Langhorne ; the Lynchburg Infantry 
Grays, Captain A. F. Biggers ; and the Artillery, under 
Captain Shields. 

The Virginia Conference of the Methodist church 
met here November 16, but that attracted little atten- 
tion. Everywhere the cry was, " To arms ! to arms ! 
to arms ! The South is soon to be invaded." The mar- 
tial spirit was regnant. Even the boys on the streets 
were playing soldier. 



180 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

A large public meeting was held at Martin's ware- 
house, November 30, to consider our relation to the 
North, and to take such measures as the exigency of 
the times forcibly suggested. Judge Daniel A. Wilson 
was made chairman. The speakers were William G. 
Brownlow, of Tennessee, and T. J. Kirkpatrick, E,. G. 
H. Kean, Major James Garland, J. M. Speed, and 
Samuel Garland, Jr. There was great enthusiasm, and 
every reference to States' Rights was received with 
deafening cheers. At the conclusion of the speaking, 
the meeting passed resolutions calling upon the citizens 
to organize and prepare for the worst, and at the same 
time protests were entered against the unwarranted 
interference of the North with the slaves of the South. 

Thus the year closed with the people uneasy and 
excited, some thinking the trouble would pass by, and 
others that the war cloud was certainly arising upon the 
horizon, and would soon overshadow the land. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Grim-visaged war scowled upon the people, yet few 
understood its full meaning. Some said that when the 
North saw that we would ofifer armed resistance they 
would cease their interference, others, that it would be 
necessary to fight, but the conflict would last only a few 
months. If something would happen to relieve the 
present situation, and still preserve the Union, it would 
prove most acceptable, for Lynchburg and Virginia 
loved the Union, but not better than truth and right. 
The theme of the speakers and the subject of the 
preachers was the preservation of the Union. The peo- 
ple hoped for the best ; at the same time preparations 
were being made for the worst, if it came. 

To arms ! to arms ! was still heard on every side, and 
scarcely a week passed that a military company was not 
out drilling. Early in the year a new company, the 
Rifle Grays, was organized, with John M. Speed cap- 
tain. The legislature was in session, and provision was 
made for arming and fitting every company organized. 

We would expect the impending war to have a 
gloomy effect upon the city, but it did not. This was 
perhaps the gayest winter in the history of the town. 
Nearly every night there was an entertainment, and 
some were very brilliant affairs. Elaborate suppers 
were prepared, and those who were able entertained 
with all the elegance that characterized Virginia ban- 



182 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

quets of the olden times. Prosperity seemed to be at 
flood tide. The Orange and Alexandria railroad had 
been completed to the Amherst side, opposite the town, 
and the first train reached there January 14, 1860. Pas- 
sengers were conveyed from the Virginia and Tennessee 
depot to the terminus in omnibuses, known as Latham's 
coaches. The Piedmont House was refitted by Leyburn 
Wilkes, and made quite an addition to the hotels of the 
city. The Lynchburg Locomotive and Machine Company 
was incorporated, as was also the Lynchburg and Rich- 
mond railroad. A great quantity of tobacco was com- 
ing in, and the receipts on the canal w^ere greater than 
they had been any year during the past seven. An 
editorial in the paper at this time said : " At no period 
within our knowledge has Lynchburg afforded so many 
concurrent evidences of prosperity as she presents now. 
There are new stores, banks, insurance companies, fac- 
tories, and other industries. There is no reason why 
she should not have twenty thousand inhabitants within 
the next ten years." Fortunate was it that the baptism 
of fire to be received wdthin the next ten years was 
hidden at this time. 

A pleasant affair took place on March 30. The 
ladies had made a beautiful flag for the Home Guard. 
On this day the company, with a large number of spec- 
tators, assembled on the college campus, and A. M. 
Trible, in an appropriate speech, presented it on behalf 
of the ladies. Captain Samuel Garland replied, express- 
ing the great appreciation of himself and men at this 
mark of esteem. The new flag was displayed April 12, 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 183 

when the Home Guard went to Richmond to take part 
in the unveiling of the statue which Lynchburg had 
helped to erect in honor of Henry Clay. 

JN^early every day something occurred to increase the 
excitement in regard to the war. Now came the news 
that the Democratic National Convention, which met ' 
at Charleston, S. C, April 30, after a stormy session, 
had adjourned without making a nomination for presi- 
dent and vice-president. The Southern States, finding 
themselves out of accord with the Northern, withdrew 
from the convention. This was received throughout 
the country as another evidence of the breach widen- 
ing. 

The contractors, Elisha Snead & Son, had finished 
the new Methodist church. Centenary, and Sunday, 
May 2, it was dedicated. The pastor. Rev. A. G. 
Brown, made some remarks, and Dr. D. S. Doggett 
preached the sermon. In the afternoon Rev. John C. 
Granbery preached, and at night Rev. Paul Whitehead. 
A large crowd attended each service. The new church, 
including the lot, cost seventeen thousand dollars. The 
old building was sold to the Sons of Temperance, on 
condition that it be used only for meetings, lectures and 
literary and scientific entertainments. It was named 
Holcombe Hall, in honor of that zealous apostle of 
temperance. Captain Thomas A. Holcombe. 

From the time the old church was made a station, in 
1811, to the time of the dedication of the new church, 
there had been a great many pastors, owing to the 
Methodist system of changing every year, or two years 



184 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

at the farthest. The following is the list of pastors to 
May, 1860 : 

1811, John Weaver first preacher in charge; 1812, Joel Burgess, 
S. Thrift and John Giles (for Bedford and Lynchburg); 1813, Chris. 
S. Mooring; 1814, Kobert Griffith, Peyton Anderson (with Bedford 
circuit); 1815, Fletcher Harris, Peter Wyatt ( with Bedford circuit ) ; 
1816, Thomas Moore; 1817, Ethelbert Drake; 1818, Thomas Burge; 

1819, James Smith, George M. Anderson (with Bedford circuit); 

1820, Thomas Mann, Peter Doab (with Bedford circuit); 1821-22, 
George W. Charlton (John Early, Presiding Elder) ; 1823, Thomas 
Crowder; 1824, Thomas Howard; 1825, William Leigh; 1826-27, 
Caleb Leach; 1828, WiUiam A. Smith; 1829, W. L Waller; 1830-31, 
M. P. Parks; 1832-33, D. S. Doggett ; 1834-35, H. B. Cowles ; 
1836, Edward Wadsworth; 1837, A. McDonald; 1838, D. S. Dog- 
gett; 1839-40, W. A. Smith ; 1841, E. Wadsworth ; 1842-43, A. 
DibreU; 1844-45, W. A. Smith; 1846-47, D. S. Doggett; 1848-49, 
George W. Langhome; 1850, John C. Granbery; 1852, D. P. Wills; 
1854, Frank Stanly; 1856, C. H. Hall; 1858-60, A. G. Brown. 

The attention of the people was not long kept away 
from military affairs. The Lynchburg Mechanics' 
Artillery was organized May 8, with H. Grey Latham 
Captain. The last day of this month the Home Guard 
were lined up on the court green, and R. G. H. Kean 
presented to Captain S. Garland, on behalf of the com- 
pany, a handsome sword. 

An affair took place Saturday, June 23, that cast a 
gloom over the town. A spirited newspaper contro- 
versy had been going on between the Buttons of the 
Virginian, and the Hardwickes of the Republican. The 
pieces had gotten very personal, and both sides felt 
aggrieved. It was about two o'clock on this day, when 
Charles, George, Robert and Joseph Button were on 
their way home to dinner. AVhen near the corner of 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 185 

Church and Twelfth streets, they met George and Wil- 
liam Hardwicke, and immediately firing began. The 
fire was quickly returned, but Joseph Button fell mor- 
tally wounded, and died at 7 o'clock that evening, 
and Robert was severely hurt, but recovered. The 
Hardwickes were arrested, and a long trial was had. 
Both papers gave their version of the affair, and a 
good deal of bitterness, as was natural under the cir- 
cumstances, was displayed. 

Following this came the second execution in the his- 
tory of Lynchburg. It took place about two o'clock, 
August 31, in the open field behind the Methodist 
graveyard, and a great crowd of people witnessed it. 
The doomed man was William Hendricks. He mur- 
dered Thomas Johnson, on December 31, in a house on 
Eleventh street, between Main and Lynch. 

The spirit of prosperity was still upon the town. The 
council decided to enlarge the water-works, and made 
a liberal appropriation to build an armory on the 
reservoir lot. 

Sleeping cars, a new invention, were introduced on 
the Virginia and Tennessee road. The papers said 
that they rendered sleeping really comfortable on a 
railroad train. October 12, the Presbyterian Synod, 
Old School, met here, and four days later the Agri- 
cultural Fair was held. On the 30th and 31st of the 
same month, an event occurred in the social world that 
charmed the lovers of music. Adelina Patti, the great 
prima donna, sang to crowded houses at Holcombe 
Hall. The population of the city at this time was 



186 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

eleven thousand, six hundred and fifty-five, including 
freemen and slaves. 

The political situation was the important subject 
before the people now, because they felt that peace or 
war depended upon who was elected President of the 
United States. The Democrats nominated Stephen A. 
Douglas and H. V. Johnson, and the Constitutional 
Union partyj John Bell and Edward Everett. The 
Secessionists nominated John C Breckenridge and Gen- 
eral Joseph Lane, and the Republicans, Abraham 
Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin. Political clubs were 
organized, and the fight became warm. 

Nearly every week there were political rallies and 
speaking. Waller R. Staples spoke for Bell, and 
Major James Garland for Douglas, but the great 
demonstration Avas October 17, when Hon. A. H. H. 
Stuart spoke at Holcombe Hall for the Constitutional 
Union party. The house was packed, and Mr. Stuart 
made a brilliant speech. The meeting passed oif well, 
but there was an episode in connection with Mr. 
Stuart's visit that rendered it very unpleasant. He 
was the guest of Charles L. Mosby, and had arranged 
to leave the city via the Orange and Alexandria road 
before day on the 18th. The road then only came to 
Daniel's Island, and it was necessary to take the boat 
to this point in order to board the train. Mr. Mosby's 
carriage driver drove Mr. Stuart to the foot of Ninth 
street, and leading him to the head of the steps at the 
packet landing, said, " Jest walk down dar and you'll 
find de boat.'' It was very dark, and Mr. Stuart walked 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 187 

down the steps, missed the boat and walked into the 
canal. Unable to arouse any one, he scrambled around 
in the water, and after losing his hat, coat and baggage, 
finally reached the bank soaking wet and covered with 
mud. He went over to the Piedmont House and asked 
for a room. The proprietor told him he could not 
take in tramps, not knowing who it was that spoke. 
" But," said the dripping, shivering man, ''My name is 
Stuart." '' I don't care what your name is," said the 
hotel keeper ; " I don't accommodate men like you." 
After much persuasion he agreed to allow him to use a 
cot in the hall, used by the negro porter. Early in the 
morning C. M. Blackford, president of the Young 
Men's Union Club, received a note from Mr. Stuart 
asking him to come to the Piedmont House at once. 
He went down, and the proprietor was much chagrined 
when he found that the man he took for a tramp was 
Hon. A. H. H. Stuart. The citizens, hearing of the 
accident, furnished him with a handsome outfit, and he 
departed wiser for his expecience. 

The election was drawing near, and speaking in- 
creased. C. M. Blackford, Don P. Halsey, E. D. 
Christian and John B. Tilden spoke at Holcorabe 
Hall in favor of Bell, Major James Garland, AV. H. 
Lyddick and John L. Henry at the Exchange Bank 
for Douglas, and Captain Garland and Randolph 
Tucker at Liberty Warehouse for Breckenridge. At 
almost every corner you could hear an independent 
orator going extensively and promiscuously into the 
merits of the canvass, and market square was the Se- 



188 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

cessionists' rendezvous. Every one who talked, talked 
excitedly. Thomas S. Boeock, our representative in 
Congress, urged the people to stand by the Union. 
Election day, November 6, arrived, and the papers 
warned the people to keep cool, lest heated and hasty 
action cause trouble. 

Lynchburg's vote was : Bell 969, Breckenridge 487, 
Douglas 132. The news soon came that Abraham 
Lincoln was elected. The effect was terrible. The 
town clock stopped, they said, from indignation. The 
people of the South were depressed, recognizing in this 
the real beginning of the struggle. 

Before the end of November a financial crisis arose ; 
the banks suspended specie payment ; bonds and stocks 
plunged downward, and everything seemed in a de- 
plorable condition, financially and politically. The 
question that was urging itself upon the people was : 
Shall we secede? Hon. Stephen A. Douglass spoke 
here, begging the people to remain in the Union. W. D. 
Branch, the mayor, called a public meeting at Holcombe 
Hall, December 6, to confer upon the threatening con- 
dition of affairs. He was made chairman, and E,. 
H. Glass, C. W. Button and Alexander McDonald 
secretaries. Speech after speech was made, and at 
length resolutions were passed instructing our State 
senator and representative to favor a bill for a conven- 
tion to consider the question of secession. It was a 
gloomy time ; business was at a standstill, and every 
one complained of hard times. What had been ex- 
pected now took place. December 20, at Charleston, 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 189 

South Carolina passed the ordinance of secession amid 
a great demonstration of ringing of bells and firing of 
cannons. Seven days after Fort Moultrie was abandoned 
and burnt, and the United States troops were moved to 
Fort Sumpter. Many thoughtful people saw in this 
the beginning of war. 

When 1861 came in, some gaiety was intertwined 
with the solemnity. New Year's day, many of the 
gentlemen, in full dress, called upon their lady friends, 
who received with hospitable banquets. This was an 
established custom, which has since passed away. Presi- 
dent Buchanan set apart January 4 as a day for 
national fasting and prayer for the country. The fol- 
lowing pastors held services : Rev. "W. H. Kinckle, at 
St. Paul's ; Rev. John E. Edwards, at Court Street ; 
Rev. H. P. Mitchell, at Centenary ; Rev. James 
Ramsey, at First Presbyterian ; Rev. Jacob Mitchell, 
at Second Presbyterian ; Rev. H. W. Dodge, at Baptist, 
and Rev. W. S. Hammond, at Methodist Protestant. 
Following this, a meeting of the ministers and members 
of the different churches was held at the Second Pres- 
byterian church, to take steps in regard to the present 
condition of the country. Dr. Samuel B. Christian was 
made chairman, and T. J. Kirkpatrick, secretary. 
Papers were read counselling moderation, and appealing 
to the Christian people to do all in their power to avert 
the threatening conflict. Papers of a like kind from 
New York and Chicago were also read. These efforts 
produced as little effect as a snow-flake falling in the 
river. When they disappeared, that was the end of them. 



n>0 LYNCHmiUG AND ITS PEOPI.E. 

AiiolluM- nu>otiiig was hclil at Ilolcombc Hull, Jan- 
uary 'J'J, and despite the bitter cold, the house was 
crowded. .Fohn Iv. Mcl>aniel j)reslded, and R. G. II. 
Kean was secretary. John O. Ij. Ci!oii;oin spoke, aud 
offered this resolution : " i^^'.s-o/fvv/, That it is the sense 
of this nieelino; that the State convention, -which is to 
assemble in the ci(y of Iviclnnond February 14 next, 
oun'ht ])roniptly to pass the ordinance by which Vir- 
«;inia shall n^sinne all tiu^ authority which siic has ever 
ilelci;ated to the (Jovernnient ot the United States, and 
by which she shall declare her present relation to that 
(liovernment dissolved, unless an adjustment of the con- 
trovcrsy, which now divides the States of this Confed- 
eracy, satisfactorily io a majority of the Southern States, 
shall be prescnteil and accepted by them belbre that 
time." 

Samuel (lurland, Charles 1\. Slaughter and John INT. 
Speed spoke against the resolution. They opposed im- 
mediate secession, and wanted all honorable means of 
ri>dri>ss in the Union to be (irst exhausted. The resolu- 
tion was passed bv a large majority, and John O. Jj. 
Coggin and Thomas J. Kirkpatrick were nominated as 
delegates to represent Lynchburg in the approaching 
convention. 

Two days afterward, at the same place, the conser- 
vative citizens held a meeting, ^lajor James (larland 
presiding. They avim-c for prc^serving the Union if con- 
sistent with the honor of the State. They approved of 
the etlorts of the legislature to send a committee to 
treat with the Northern States, and if the dillerence 



LYNCHBUKO AND ITS PEOPLE. 191 

could not be adjusted, then the convention should pass 
the net of secession, conditioned upon the people's ac- 
coptaiu'c. John M. Speed and Charles T\. Slaughter 
were nominated delegates by this meeting. 

Both sides struggled to elect their men. James Gar- 
land, E. D. Christian, S. D. Preston and Don P. Hal- 
sey spoke for Speed and Slaughter, while R. G. H. 
Kcan, A. M, Trible and II. K. Manson, spoke for Gog- 
gln and Kirkpatrick. The elcetion was held February 
2, and resulted in the following vote : 

Speed, .... 10;5n (Joggin, .... 374 

yiauglitor, . . . 1021 Kiikpatrick, ... 307 

This showed that Lynchburg was overwhelmingly in 
favor of preserving the Union, if it were possible to do 
so, without the sacrifice of right. 

An indication of (he hard times was (hat, on Feb- 
ruary 7, the Young Men's Christian Association had 
to be sold out for debt. There was so much suffering 
among the poor that a relief society had to be organized 
to prevent many from freezing and starving. The cup 
of woe was not yet full, for small-pox broke <)u( in the 
city, and soon a dozen cases were rc[)orted. 

Important events were (piickly transpiring. The 
Peace Conference was held, and many looked forward to 
this as the dawn of peace, but they were disappointed ; 
nothing was accomplished. The Secession Convention 
met in Kiclinioud February 14. March I, Lincoln was 
inangnra(cd, and on (he lu'xt day the Southern Con- 
fedcrac}' was oi'ganized at Montgomery, Alabama, with 
Jefferson Davis as president. The Confederate (lag 



192 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was raised on the State House amid great shouts. 
These reports constantly coming inflamed the citizens, 
and made the prospect of peace more and more remote. 

Lynchburg was making desperate efforts to move 
forward in spite of tlie dark situation. The council 
determined to build a new market house, and tried to 
purchase the ground on Church street, where the United 
States building and the marble yard now stand. Slaves 
were still bringing a good price. Bryan Akers, the auc- 
tioneer, sold, on April 1 2, a lot at the following prices : 
A negro woman, nine hundred and ten dollars ; a negro 
boy, seventeen years old, eleven hundred and thirty 
dollars ; a girl, eighteen years old, eleven hundred dol- 
lars ; a boy twelve, six hundred and forty dollars ; a 
girl eleven, seven hundred and fifteen dollars ; a wo- 
man fifty, with a small child, seven hundred and sixty 
dollars. The terms of the sale were cash, and the right 
of dower in the negroes was retained. The price of 
slaves had not yet begun to depreciate. 

It was in the early morning of April 12 that the 
war began in earnest. Major Anderson, commanding 
the United States troops, was still occupying Fort 
Sumpter, when at this time the fort was bombarded by 
the State troops. Many wondered if Mr. Lincoln 
would try pacific measures, or attempt to relieve the 
garrison at Fort Sumpter. They did not have to wait 
long, for he issued a call for seventy-five thousand men, 
Virginia's share being two thousand, three hundred and 
forty, and prepared to send men to South Carolina at 
once to help Major Anderson. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 193 

This swept away the last vestige of hope ; there was 
nothing to do now but to prepare to fight. The Silver 
Greys, a new company, was organized, and on the 15th 
a Confederate flag was raised on Main street. Thomas 
J. Kirkpatrick, D. P. Halsey, E. D. Christian and G. 
W. Latham spoke. A meeting was held at Dudley 
Hall to organize military companies ; Colonel M. Lang- 
horne presided. Men under forty-five were wanted for 
field service, and those over forty-five for home defence. 
Many of the soldiers were furnishing themselves, and 
the people were busy preparing to answer Lincoln's 
call, but not in a manner expected by him. 

The convention to consider the question of secession 
had been in session since February 14, trying to agree 
upon some plan. They had now agreed. Governor 
Letcher, April 16, refused Lincoln's call for troops 
from Virginia with which to fight her Southern sisters, 
and two days afterward the Old Dominion, who had 
stood by the Union to the last, hoping that the ques- 
tion might be settled without the last resort, passed the 
ordinance of secession and allied herself with the Con- 
federacy. 

Now Lynchburg began to prepare for war as never 
before. To arms ! to arms ! was heard everywhere. 
All ages must join the ranks for defence. Boys four- 
teen to eighteen were organized to assist in defending 
their homes. The sound of the fife and drum was 
heard in all directions, and all over the town men were 
recruiting. Even the children, who could do nothing 
else, were marching the streets with paper caps and 



194 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

stick guns, cheering for the Confederacy. On the doors 
of many places of business was this notice : " Closed. 
Enlisted in the army." The photograph galleries were 
crowded with soldiers having their pictures taken to 
leave their sweethearts and friends. 

It was announced that each soldier would need two 
heavy blankets, three flannel shirts, two pairs thick 
cotton drawers, one pair boots, one pair shoes, towels, 
comb, brush, needles and thread, and soap. This, it 
was thought, wdth the undressed uniform made by N. 
Guggenheimer, would be sufficient to last several 
months, untiLthe war was over. The council appro- 
priated one thousand dollars to every company of one 
hundred organized, and the citizens raised twenty 
thousand dollars to equip the Lynchburg troops. The 
noble women were not idle. They formed a society 
to help the Confederacy. They met every day at the 
Masonic hall, and were busy from morning until even- 
ing cutting and making tents, uniforms, clothing and 
other things, and those who could not leave, sewed 
at home. Such times ! 

The Beauregard Rifles, Captain Marcellus Moorman, 
had been organized, and Captain Radford was recruit- 
ing his cavalry company. Orders came that the Home 
Guard, Captain Garland ; the Rifle Grays, Captain M. S. 
Langhorne, and the Artillery, Captain H. G. Latham,* 
prepare to move to Richmond April 23. Now came 
the sad time. The day previous to their departure, 
Sunday, Rev. W. S. Hammond preached to the Grays 

* iJ'or rosters of these companies see Appendix. 



Ly^CHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 195 

at the Methodist Protestant church, and Rev. Dr. 
Ramsey to the Home Guard at the First Presbyterian 
church. At night both companies assembled at Court 
Street church, and Dr. John E. Edwards preached to 
them. 

While these preparations were going on an occur- 
rence took place Sunday afternoon that was much 
deplored. Andrew Johnson, United States Senator 
from Tennessee, was passing through the city en route 
from Washington home. A crowd boarded the train, 
and a certain newspaper man, recognizing Mr. Johnson, 
walked up to him and pulled his nose. The Senator 
immediately drew his pistol, and would have fired had 
not some one stopped him. In the excitement some 
cried, "Hang him," but better judgement prevailed, 
and the traveler was allowed to pursue his journey 
without being further molested. 

The gray dawn was just appearing in the east, on 
this memorable Monday, when the w'hole city was 
astir. At home mothers and wives were packing the 
knapsacks, with heavy hearts and tearful eyes, and on 
the streets soldiers were hurrying to their respective 
armories. It was one of those glorious days of early 
spring, when the air was fragrant with the incense of 
bud and blossom, and all nature in her beauty echoed 
her Maker's praise. Profound peace reigned, and no 
suggestion of war was made save by the hurry of the 
soldiers. 

About eight o'clock the Rifle Grays were drawn up 
in front of their armory on Main street, the Home 



196 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Guard at theirs on Eighth street, and the Artillery on 
Clay. The first two companies mustered about one 
hundred each, and the last about eighty-five, some of 
their men not being ready. The companies marched to 
their place of meeting on Church street, between Eighth 
and Tenth, and were formed into a column by Colonel 
D. A. Langhorne. They marched through the crowded 
streets to Eleventh, then to Main, then to Bridge, and 
to the Virginia and Tennessee depot, where they halted 
to listen to an address by Rev. J. D. Mitchell. The 
speaker, burning with patriotism, said he had two sons 
in one of the companies — sons of a Charleston, S. C, 
mother, and if he had fifty they would be given up 
into the service of the State in such a contest. He 
wanted the soldiers to show themselves men, and in the 
day of battle put their trust in God and never turn their 
backs upon the enemy. He alluded to the war now 
-being made upon our cherished institutions, appointed 
by Heaven for the development and happiness of the 
thousands of that inferior race committed to the guar- 
dianship of the South, and felicitated himself that they 
would find brave and efficient defenders in the gallant 
young men who had taken up arms in vindication of 
our rights. Dr. Mitchell concluded by saying that he 
would accompany the soldiers on their journey. 

After the benediction by Rev. W. S. Hammond, 
the troops marched on to the place of embarkation, 
amid the tears and congratulations of the multitude of 
noble women and brave men who had come to bid 
them God-speed. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 197 

It was a solemn scene, and one that thrilled every 
heart. Gray-haired fathers and mothers were there, 
parting with two or three sons, and some were giving 
up their only boy. Wives were bidding farewell, per- 
haps forever, to the husbands of their bosoms, and even 
the children, scarcely appreciating the occasion, were 
giving their parting benediction to fathers beloved. 
As these gallant men said good-by, and left all that was 
dear to them to obey the call of their State, many felt 
proud that Virginia was the same nursery of valor and 
patriotism that it had been in the days of Washington. 
None doubted that the Lynchburg boys would do their 
duty as true soldiers. 

The supply of coaches on the Southside road was 
limited, so that many of the soldiers had to travel in box 
cars. As soon aa they had gotten into them they began 
knocking planks off of the sides so as to get air. 

Now that three companies were gone, and others ex- 
pected soon to leave, it was necessary to make arrange- 
ment for home defence. A meeting for this purpose 
was called, and Major James Garland presided. It 
was decided to have a company of infantry in each 
ward, and a company of mounted men in the city at 
large. The home company was called the Silver 
Grays. Colonel W. B. Brown commanded the battalion. 
The signal of danger would be the alarm of fire, at 
which the companies would turn out to protect the lives 
and property of the citizens. 

Virginia seceded April 17, and on the 25th joined 
the Confederacy. May 4 was the day set for the vote 



198 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

by which the people should ratify the action of the con- 
vention. Lynchburg had moved slowly in giving its 
voice to dissolve the Union, but now the time had come, 
and the ordinance of secession was ratified without a 
dissenting vote. 

Nothing was thought of now but preparation for 
war. Five or six car-loads of troops from the South- 
west passed through the city. F. B. Deane & Son were 
working to their utmost capacity making shot and shells, 
and sending them to Richmond, and the ladies were 
still hard at work fitting, not only home companies, 
but any who needed it. At one time they had fifteen 
hundred suits on hand to make, and they made them. 
The council appropriated five thousand dollars more for 
the defence of the city and State, and every one was 
willing to do what he could to aid in defending his na- 
tive land. 

Lynchburg was made a rendezvous for many of the 
troops coming from Virginia and from the South. 
Nearly every day troops were coming here from Ala- 
bama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, and other points. 
They would arrive over the Virginia and Tennessee 
road, and march to the Fair Grounds. That part of the 
city presented a busy scene ; the whole place was white 
with tents, teams were coming and going, workmen 
were making stalls for bunks, bands were playing, and 
soldiers were drilling, while others were amusing them- 
selves. Already from three to six thousand men had 
arrived. 

Camp Davis was another place where troops were 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 199 

quartered. It was that ground, mostly wood, from 
Twelfth to Sixteenth streets and from Pierce to Kemper. 
There were a number of one-story frame houses, which 
■were built in rows, where the officers stayed, one or 
two of which are now standing. Colonel Jubal A. 
Early commanded the volunteer encampment, and Cap- 
tain Jehu Williams had charge of the quartermaster 
department. 

May 8, the Second Regiment Virginia Cavalry* 
was organized at Lynchburg, and Colonel Jubal A. 
Early was the mustering officer. This was the first 
mounted regiment organized in Virginia. 

AVith one of the Roanoke troops there came an old 
negro drummer who had served in the same capacity in 
the War of 1812. When asked if he could go through 
the war, he replied, " Yes, Marsa ; I spects to lib to git 
old Linkum's skull." 

May 20 the Beauregard E,ifles,t Captain M. N. Moor- 
man, left for Richmond. About June 1 the troops be- 
gan to move towards Manassas Junction. On Monday, 
the 3d, the Wise Troop,t Captain John S. Langhorne, 
left here for that point. The college had been turned 
into a hospital, and already there were seventy-five sick 
soldiers. There were many sad hearts at the departure 
of the troops, and every day many attended the union 
prayer-meeting at the different churches, that they might 
obtain consolation. 

There were many Lynchburgers who returned here 

* Kor regimental officers, see Appeudlx. 
t For roster, see Appendix. 



200 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

with troops. Among them was Captain Eugene Black- 
ford, with a company he organized at Clayton, Alabama ; 
Captain Samuel V. lieid, lately of Cincinnati, returned 
with a company of forty Kentuckians ; Colonel Robert 
M. McKinney, of North Carolina, and Colonel Robert 
E. Rodes, of Alabama. 

An interesting description of the military encamp- 
ment here is given in the following letter, written by a 
member of the Third Alabama regiment : 

' ' LjTichburg at this time was a large camp, filled with raw troops 
hastily collected to meet the threatened invasion of the Old Dominion. 
They were generally without uniform, and clad in garments of every 
conceivable color, material, and pattern. They were all animated by 
the same spirit, and felt the utmost confidence in the ultimate suc- 
cess of their cause. Crowding the streets and suburbs by thousands, 
and feeling but lightly the restraints of military rule and discipline, 
they were orderly and well-behaved. It was interesting to see these 
earnest men gathered in groups discussing the great questions which 
agitated the country. Their enthusiasm was unbounded, and the 
greatest good feeling prevailed among them. The whole scene was 
often enhanced by amusing incidents, and there was never perhaps a 
more fruitful fountain of wit and mirth than this same old Third 
from the early days of good clothes and full rations to the last dark 
scene of starvation and surrender — ever patient, ever ready, ever 
gay. Love of country was the ruling sentiment with these men, and 
the citizens of LjTichburg entered fully into all their feelings. Many 
of her gallant sons had already organized themselves into companies 
and batteries. 

"On Saturday, the 4th, different detachments having arrived, the 
regiment, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Lomax,was regularly 
mustered into the service of the Confederate States, and went into 
camp in a beautiful grove near the Fair Grounds. 

' ' Tents and all equipments necessary for an army were to be pro- 
vided. The ladies were profuse in their attentions. They did not 
stand on ceremony, but, with open hand and liberal heart, contributed 
many things. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 201 

"Although we struck camp at a very early hour on June 8th, the 
whole city seemed to have turned out to see us off. During our four 
years' service the Third Alabama had many kind attentions paid it, 
but none more heartily given or highly appreciated than those which 
were bestowed by the citizens of Lynchburg." 

Nearly all the troops had gone to the front, and the 
people felt the greatest anxiety. Thursday, June 13, 
was set apart as a fast day, and all places of business 
closed. Sabbath stillness reigned, and services were 
held in many of the churches. The people began to 
feel the effects of war at home. Things began to get 
scarce. Coffee-drinkers had to give up their coffee, and 
paper was hard to get. The Virginian was published 
on one sheet, and that a very small one. July 1 there 
appeared a great comet, and those who read the signs 
said it meant a long and bloody war. 

The papers were eagerly sought for, and the bulletin- 
boards closely watched to hear the news from the front. 
Every day nearly there came reports of skirmishes. 
July 21 the roar of cannon was distinctly heard here, 
and the people knew that a great battle was being 
fought. Soon the news of the first battle of Manassas 
came, and there was great joy over the success of the 
Confederate arms, although sadness came when the list of 
wounded and killed was received. Among the Lynch- 
burgers wounded were Lieutenant John W. Daniel, 
Lieutenant William L. Goggin, Jr., who died Septem- 
ber 8, Lieutenant James Chalmers, who died October 1. 
This victory made the people hope for a speedy close 
of the war. 



202 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Many of the Lynchburgers had been promoted to 
higher offices. Colonel R. E. Rodes had been made briga- 
dier-general for his bravery, Samuel Garland had been 
made colonel of the Eleventh Virginia regiment, and 
Rev. John C Granbery, once pastor of the Methodist 
church here, now Bishop, had been made chaplain. His 
comrades will not soon forget his bravery or cease to ad- 
mire his noble character. Captain M. S. Langhorne was 
made major, and G. W. Latham succeeded him as cap- 
tain. Captain John S. Langhorne was also made major, 
and Charles M. Blackford elected captain in his stead, 
and K. Otey was made captain in place of Samuel Gar- 
land. 

Trouble at home continued. The scarcity of money 
was begining to be serious ; the council, therefore, Oc- 
tober 25, authorized the issue of fifty thousand dollars 
in small notes — ten, fifteen, twenty-five, fifty and ninety 
cents, and one and two dollars. Another trouble was 
that the supply of salt was rapidly growing less, and 
the dealers were putting up the prices. A public meet- 
ing was called to meet at Dudley Hall,' November 1 2, 
to fight salt extortion ; F. B. Deane, Jr., presided. The 
speakers declared that it was an outrage to charge fif- 
teen dollars a sack for salt. A protest was made against 
this extortion, and a committee was appointed to go to 
the salt works at Saltville and make arrangements for 
a supply of salt for the city at reasonable rates. 

The town was in a bad state ; nearly every night there 
were several robberies, and many of the citizens were 
held up on the streets in the dark and relieved of all 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 203 

they had ; servants sent out upon errands were impressed, 
supplies were short and business was dead. 

The college and many factories had been turned into 
hospitals, and the ladies had opened one in the City 
Hotel. At this time there were three thousand sick 
and wounded soldiers here, and, besides caring for these, 
the army must be helped. The churches voted to con- 
tribute their bells to make cannon, tableaux and con- 
certs were being held to raise money for the army, and 
the women were still hard at work making articles of 
clothing and preparing boxes for the soldiers. 

Lieutenant E. A. Langhorne died in December, and 
Charles R. Slaughter, who drew the ordinance of seces- 
sion passed by Virginia, February 10. Since the open- 
ing of 1862, there were no reports of serious fights in 
which our men were engaged until May 8, when the 
city was in a high state of excitement on account of 
the report that a bloody battle had been fought near 
Williamsburg, and the Eleventh Virginia had borne a 
prominent part. The deepest anxiety was felt, because 
so little could be learned, besides the fact of the battle 
and that Colonel Samuel Garland had been wounded. 
Later a full report came in, giving an account of the 
fight and a list of the killed, wounded and missing. 

After this report was received a public meeting was 
called at Dudley Hall to make arrangements for look- 
ing after our wounded soldiers around Richmond. 
Bishop John Early presided, and the meeting sent a 
committee and corps of nurses to take the matter in 
charge. 



204 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The sad realities of war were now becoming more 
and more apparent as the bodies of our brave soldiers 
were being brought home for burial. Nearly every 
day some home was made sad, as the loved one dead 
was brought back ; but especially sad was Saturday, 
June 7. It was a calm summer day, and one long to 
be remembered in Lynchburg. The bodies of Adjutant 
J. Lawrence Meem, Sergeant C. W. Terry, privates E. 
H. Elliott, Samuel B. Tyree, A. "W. Cross and John 
A. Reid reached here and were placed in the vestibule 
of the Second Presbyterian church. They were mem- 
bers of the Home Guard, and had been killed at the 
battle of Seven Pines. At ten o'clock on this mem- 
orable morning the bodies were placed each in a separate 
hearse in the order named and borne to the tomb. 
They were escorted by five or six companies of the 
Forty-second North Carolina regiment, and by other 
soldiers, followed by friends and families of the deceased 
in carriages, citizens on horseback and many a-foot. 

The line of march was up Church to Seventh, then to 
Main, down Main to Twelfth, and out Twelfth to the 
Presbyterian cemetery. The procession was a long one, 
taking thirteen minutes to pass a given point. The 
streets were crowded with a mournful multitude, and 
all the places of business were closed except the banks. 
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. D. 
Mitchell, of Second Presbyterian church, and Rev. H. 
P. Mitchell, of Centenary. After the services at the 
cemetery were over, the bodies of A. W. Cross and John 
A. Reid were carried to Spring Hill. Never, perhaps, 



LriSCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 205 

was there a more solemn and deeply impressive occasion 
than this one. 

The gloom deepened as day after day some of Lynch- 
burg's cherished sons who had fallen in defense of their 
country were brought home. Others whose remains 
were brought here, or who had died, were John Murrell, 
Robert E, Apperson, Lieutenant J. H. Didlake, Robert 
C. Saunders, Robert Calhoun, Sergeant J. K. Seabury, 
John F. Mitchell, W. K. Trigg, Sergeant Oct&vius 
Victor, Captain Gaston Otey, George W. Brown and 
W. H. Poindexter. Rev. John C. Granbery was 
reported killed at Seven Pines, but he was only wounded 
at Frazier's farm. Colonel M. S. Langhorne was 
wounded while leading a charge across the enemy's 
encampment. William Taylor, a private, heedless of his 
own danger, went to his assistance. Colonel Langhorne 
said : " If I die tell my friends I was killed in leading 
the Eleventh regiment in a charge against the enemy." 

The saddest news yet received was that which came 
September 15. It was announced that General Samuel 
Garland had been killed the day before, Sunday, at 
South Mountain, near Boonsboro, Md. He was with 
General D. H. Hill, and fell while attempting to 
rally his brigade to charge the enemy. General Gar- 
land never lost his cool self-possession, not even in 
this hour, for before he closed his eyes forever, he said : 
" I am killed — send for the senior colonel, and tell 
him to take command." His remains were brought 
here by his aid-de-camp. Lieutenant Maurice Garland, 
and on Friday afternoon, September 19, after ser- 



206 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

vice conducted by Rev. W. H. Kinckle, at St. Paul's 
church, they were borne to the Presbyterian cemetery 
and laid to rest. In compliance with a resolution of 
the council, all of the places of business were closed, and 
nearly the whole population turned out to honor the 
dead soldier. All the soldiers here who were able to 
march were in the procession, as were the city officers 
and many of the citizens. The bells tolled, and the 
whole community mourned the loss of this distinguished 
man. 

General Samuel Garland, Jr., was born in Lynchburg, 
December 1 6, 1 830. He was the only child of Maurice 
H., and Caroline M. Garland, who is now living. At 
fourteen he entered Randolph Macon College, where he 
spent one year. From there he went to the Virginia 
Military Institute, and took high honors. From here 
he went to the University of Virginia, where he per- 
fected himself in the branches of a literary education 
and prepared to practice law. 

He began the practice of law here, and in 1856 
married Eliza C. Meem, the daughter of John C. 
Meem, of this city. General Garland was an earnest and 
successful lawyer, and had great power as a public 
speaker. His election as captain of the Home Guard, 
organized after John Brown's raid, has already been 
mentioned. 

The Eleventh Virginia was formed at Manassas, and 
Garland, who was already a colonel, was put in com- 
mand. The regiment was composed of four companies 
from Lynchburg — Rifle Grays, Capt. M. S. Langhorne, 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 207 

Company A ; Bcauregards, Captain C. V. Winfree, 
Company E ; Home Guard, Captain K. Otey, Com- 
pany G ; and Jefierson Davis Guards, Captain Risque 
Hutter, Company H ; two from Compbell county. 
Company C, Captain Clements ; Comany B, Captain 
Saunders ; two from Botetourt, Companies H and K ; 
one from Fauquier, Company I. This regiment dis- 
tinguished itself in many engagements in the war. 

After the battle of Williamsburg, in which Colonel 
Garland was wounded, on recommendation of General 
G. W. Randolph, Secretary of War, he was made 
brigadier-general, along with Generals Kemper, Arm- 
stead and Pryor. After he was able to take the field 
again, he was assigned a brigade, consisting of four 
North Carolina regiments, which he commanded until 
he was killed. He was a true gentleman, a learned 
man and gallant commander, and was in the flower of 
life and full of honors when he fell, being only thirty- 
one years of age. 

Major-General D. H. Hill was not a man given to 
praise ; it will therefore be of interest to read what he 
says of General Garland in his report to the War De- 
partment, Confederate States of America. '' Brigadier- 
General Garland was killed at South Mountain — the 
most fearless man I ever knew, a Christian hero, a ripe 
scholar and a most accomplished gentleman." 

Lynchburg could not long stop to mourn for the 
dead, such were the demands upon it to help the liv- 
ing. General Jackson sent three thousand, five hun- 
dred of his prisoners here and many of the wounded. 



208 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Nearly every suitable buildiiiir that could be secured 
was turned into a hospital. Up to September 25, nine 
hundred and thirty soldiers had died in the hospitals 
here. Spring Hill cemetery offered Monumental 
Circle for their burial, but most of them were interred 
in the soldiers' square at the City cemetery. 

Mr. Lincoln issued a proclamation, September 22, 
that if the Confederates did not return to their alle- 
giance he would emancipate the slaves. No attention 
was paid to this, and January 1, 1863, the Proclama- 
tion of Emancipation was issued. This produced little 
effect, for the same month, in front of the market, a negro 
man of forty, a carpenter, was sold for three thousand, 
one hundred and twenty dollars; a boy eighteen, for 
one thousand, eight hundred and sixty dollars, and 
a girl fifteen, for one thousand, five hundred dollars. 
The price of slaves had really gone up since the procla- 
mation. 

The condition of the city this year was even worse 
than it was last year ; rowdies, rogues and assassins were 
more numerous, having come in with the soldiers. 
People were robbed on the streets, houses and stores 
were broken into, and meat-houses stood no chance at 
all — they were emptied as soon as filled. Prices were 
high ; flour was thirty-six dollars a barrel, sugar one 
hundred and forty-five dollars a barrel, butter two dol- 
lars and twenty cents a pound, and bacon one dollar 
and twenty-five cents. It was said that a burglar broke 
into a dry goods store and found prices so high that he 
could not reach anything. High prices, with the fact 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 209 

that discipline was not well enforced, induced the un- 
principled to steal. A meeting was held at Dudley 
Hall January 20, and stringent measures were adopted 
to remedy this state of affairs. 

A soldiers' relief society had been organized here, and 
John B. Tilden was employed as its agent. He did his 
work well, and proved a faithful and untiring friend of 
the soldiers. He visited every camp where the Lynch- 
burg boys were, and carried many a package of food 
and clothing from the wives and mothers of the sol- 
diers. Such was his service that the council passed a 
resolution thanking him. 

Doctor Thomas. T. Blackford, an old citizen, died 
February 27, and a number of our citizens had been 
reported killed.* Among them were J. N. Butter- 
w^orth, killed September 17 ; Corporal Joseph Phelps, 
Latham's Battery, January ; W. P. Taliaferro, Febru- 
ary ; Lieutenant E. "VV. Horner, wounded and died 
March 15. 

Lynchburg, with all of the South, received a severe 
shock when the news was received that General Thomas 
J. Jackson had been wounded. May 5, by one of his 
own men, near Chancellorsville, and when the later 
news came that on May 10, at Guinea Station, he had 
died, deep gloom shrouded the city. It was learned 
that his remains would be taken to Richmond, and from 
there to Lexington, and that they would reach here the 
afternoon of Wednesday, 13th, over the Orange and 



* I regret that I could not get full reports of the Lynchburgers killed. 
I give the names of as many as I could get. 



210 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Alexandria road, and on the same day be transferred to 
the packet boat. The city felt it an honor to hold the 
precious dust of this great man, even for a short while, 
and prepared to give some evidence of the great es- 
teem in which it held him. 

The following proclamation was issued : 

"It having been announced that the remains of the lamented 
General Thomas J. Jackson will reach this city by the Orange and 
Alexandria train this evening at 6 :30 o'clock, on their way to Lex- 
ington, the home of the deceased, for interment, it seems befitting the 
mournful occasion, as a mark of respect for the great man fallen, that 
business of all kind in this city be suspended, and business houses 
closed at 5 p. m., that minute guns be fired, and the bells of the 
churches tolled. And I respectfully invite the reverend clergy of the 
city in a body, the authorities of the city in a body, the soldiers 
present among us, the citizens and strangers in the city, to attend at 
the depot on the arrival of the train. And I do appoint General 
Charles Dinamick chief-marshal ; John G. Meem, John S. Lang- 
home, Lorenzo Norvell, William M. Blackford and F. B. Dean, 
assistants. And I request John M. Speed, Edward D. Christian, 
John H. Flood, James R. Holt, Eobert H. Glass and A. Mc- 
Donald to act as a committee to attend the remains to the place of 
burial, in case the same shall not arrive under military escort." 

William D. Branch, Mayor. 

Lynchburg, May IS, 1S63." 

When the train arrived an immense throng of peo- 
ple were sadly waiting to receive the remains. The 
coffin was placed in the hearse and the procession 
formed in the following order, General Dimmick and 
Colonel M. S. Langhorne commanding: 

Chief marshals with aides. 

Escort — armed troops under direction of their respective officers. 

Hearee, accompanied by pall bearers. 

Guard accompaning remains. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 211 

Officers and soldiers who had served under General Jackson. 

Citizens and strangers on foot. 

Clergymen. 

All officers and soldiers in the city. 

IMayor and city authorities. 

Citizens mounted. 

Citizens in carriages. 

The line of march was down Jefferson to Bridge, 
thence to Main, up Main to Seventh, thence to Church, 
down Church to Twelfth, back to Main street, thence 
to Bridge, and down to the packet landing. 

It was a memorable day in the history of Lynch- 
burg, because of the gloom. Never was the city more 
profoundly impressed and moved upon than it was 
when it held the body of this great and good man. All 
that could be done was done to offer the tribute of 
love. An immense concourse of people thronged the 
streets, and every window and balcony along the line 
of the procession, and even the hills above, were filled 
with spectators. It was an affecting scene to witness 
the fifteen hundred and more convalescent soldiers, 
mained and suffering, many of them Jackson's war- 
worn veterans, following the remains of the great hero. 

Governor Letcher, Dr. Hunter McGuire, Major 
Pendleton, and Lieutenants Morrison and Smith ac- 
companied the remains. Mrs. Jackson, her servant 
and children, were also present. The civil escort ap- 
pointed by the mayor attended the body from here. It 
was a mournful time, for Virginia had lost one of her 
noblest sons, and the Confederacy a general without a 
superior. 



212 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Another trouble was at hand; the enemy was ap- 
proaching the city. This greatly stirred the people, 
and they began to make arrangements for the defence 
of the town. A cavalry company was organized, with 
J. S. Langhorne captain; then the Home Guard, 
Company A, with W. A. Strother captain ; an artillery 
company, H. G. Latham captain, and Colonel D. A. Lang- 
horne organized the youths of the city between fifteen 
and eighteen years of age into a company. There was 
the militia, under Captain John B. Shaner, and the other 
militia companies for home defence, which were : No. 
1, C. V. Winfree, captain; No. 2, W. B. Brown, cap- 
tain ; No. 3, J. A. Hamner, captain ; No. 4, John B. 
Winfree, captain. In August, C. V. Winfree was 
elected major of Militia Battery of Lynchburg. 

The council was doing everything in its power to pro- 
tect the city. The militia was drilling and the reserve 
force was in good condition. A strict watch was kept, and 
discipline maintained by the commander here. Soldiers 
were punished for disobedience, an example of which 
was that inflicted upon three white men for sleeping on 
duty. In front of the provost marshal's office on 
Main street was a platform, fifteen or twenty feet high, 
on which these men were placed astride a plank, turned 
edgewise. They were compelled to stay there for 
hours, derided by nearly every passer-by. 

Day after day reports came of Lynchburgers who 
had been killed. Among those killed in May were 
W. A. Owen at Fredericksburg, John D. Davis at 
Chaffin's Bluff, Captain W. S. Hannah wounded at 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 213 

Fredericksburg, and died in Richmond ; in June, 
Anthony E. Dornin at Antietam, John Maddin, Charles 
S. Saunders, Thomas A. Edmonson and J. K. Lang- 
horne, mortally wounded. July 1 the battle of Gettys- 
burg took place. The council met and appointed Dr. 
Samuel B. Christian, G. M. Bruce, W. B. Brown, 
Granville Jordan, E. N. Eubank and Jacob Mauck, a 
committee to go to Pennsylvania and look after the 
Lynchburg soldiers who had been killed and wounded. 
Among the killed were Ed. Valentine and William 
Jennings. Aug. Leftwich died July 29, and in Au- 
gust Garland Poindexter was killed. 

A sad occurrence took place here August 20, when 
in a rencontre at the Norvell House L. H. Lyne killed 
Dexter Otey. 

The gloom that overshadowed the place made every 
one feel the need of repairing to the churches to pray ; 
so Friday, the 21st, was declared a day of fasting and 
prayer. All business was suspended and services were 
held at all of the churches. 

General Robert E. Rodes, a Lynchburger, was dis- 
tinguishing himself in nearly every battle in which he 
was engaged, and his friends here, wanting to express 
their appreciation of him, contributed a large sum to buy 
him a line horse, which was presented to him October 30. 

Lincoln made a proclamation December 8, inviting 
the seceding States to return to the Union. The effect 
it had here was the effect it had on the whole South ; 
they scorned it. It was too late now to consider any 
proposition of that kind. 



214 LYNCHBUKG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

On the 13th Henry Davis, one of the oldest and 
best citizens, died, and on the 19th John W. Holt was 
killed near Alleghany Springs. 

Even the hardships of war had not altogether crushed 
the enterprising spirit of Lynchburg. At this time an 
effort was made to move Randolph Macon College here, 
and Dr. W. A. Smith came to lay the facts before the peo- 
ple. A committee, composed of A. B. Rucker, James 
Matthias, R. F. Henning, R. H. Glass, W. A. Miller, 
J. H. Flood, Dr. Thomas Walker, John R. McDaniel, 
G. M. Rucker, J. H. Tyree and J. M. Cobbs, was 
appointed to see what the people would give towards 
the enterprise. The plan was to purchase the Lynch- 
burg College, then heavily in debt, and used as a Con- 
federate hospital. The people could not give the 
money now, so the college went to Ashland. Had it 
been any other time, Lynchburg would have had it. 

The first thing to note in the new year of 1864 was 
the death, on January 21, of Dr. James Saunders, an- 
other distinguished citizen. He was a surgeon in the 
War of 1812, a member of the Reform Convention of 
1829-30, and had represented the town in the legisla- 
ture. His funeral was conducted by Bishop Early. 

In February there was a money panic, caused by the 
decline in the value of Confederate money. Living 
was high, butter being six dollars and fifty cents, bacon 
five dollars, sugar eight dollars a pound, and flour two 
hundred and fifty dollars a barrel. If provisions and 
clothing were scarce at home, what must the army have 
sufi'ered. These hard times did not deter the noble women 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 215 

from doing all they could to help the army. They 
established a library for the soldiers here, nursed in the 
hospitals, sewed for them, and established a knitting 
society. During February and March this society 
knitted by hand more than one thousand pairs of socks 
for the soldiers — almost equal to one of our modern 
knitting machines. Paper could scarcely be gotten ; 
the Daily Virginian was now printed on a single sheet 
twelve by eighteen inches, with five columns, and with- 
out a heading. In these awful times nothing was 
abundant except sorrow and death. 

Besides the Rifle Grays, Home Guard, Latham's 
Battery, Beauregard Rifles and Wise Troop, already 
mentioned, the other companies that went from Lynch- 
burg were the Lynchburg Rifles, Jeff. Davis Rifles, 
Lee Battery, Davidson's Battery, Kirkpatrick's Bat- 
tery, Lee's Body Guard and the Heavy Artillery.* 

A pleasant affair took place March 27. Hays' 
Louisiana brigade presented Major John "VY. Daniel 
with an elegant pair of silver spurs, as an expression of 
appreciation of his service in assisting them during the 
past winter, when they were suffering for the necessaries 
of life. 

Another old citizen passed away ; Dr. John H. Pat- 
teson died April 20. The papers said of him: ''The 
good old man has gone to rest. He who was ever so 
genial and pleasant, whom everybody loved and whose 
presence was always as a ray of light in a sick chamber, 

* For rosters, see Appendix. 



216 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

has ceased from his labors. One of the oldest and most 
distinguished citizens has gone. No better man ever 
lived. He had a large practice, but was never rich, 
because he seemed to care more for ministering to the 
distressed than for accumulating wealth." Two days 
later his funeral was conducted from Court Street 
Church by the pastor, Rev. R. N. Sledd. 

In the reports of the killed the names of the follow- 
ing from Lynchburg appeared : In May, Henry D. 
Yancey, C. C. Clark and John Jones ; in June, John 
E. Christian and W. C. Harris. 

Lynchburg was more fortunate than other places; 
for up to this time it had escaped the attacks of the 
enemy. This, however, did not keep the people from 
active preparation for home defence. The citizens were 
uneasy, fearing that a raiding party would come at 
almost any time. April 3, it was reported that General 
Averell was coming this way on a big raid, and that 
he intended to take Lynchburg, so as to cut off General 
Lee's supplies. This amounted to nothing, and the city 
was quiet again until June 11, when the whole place 
was thrown into great excitement. The news came 
that Sheridan was at Arrington Depot, about twenty- 
eight miles from here, and that he was moving this 
way. Earthworks were thrown up on the Amherst side, 
and a large force was gotten in order to protect the 
town. While these preparations were in progress a 
telegram came that Generals Wade Hampton and Fitz- 
hugh Lee had overhauled the Federal troops at Trevil- 
ians and driven them back with great defeat. The 







(Bisncp [ady 









^0 






jJiitigoJai 












t: 



. Lhssley Hordy 

"" Ij^ A ^ 

i LtniiseyShoerT-oKer 







LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 217 

quick and decisive action of General Hampton had 
saved Lynchburg. 

This brought relief, but it was only temporary, for on 
Sunday, June 12, it was announced that General David 
Hunter, with a large force, was moving on Lynchburg, 
and was then not far from New London. The city 
was greatly stirred again, and at once set to work to 
defend itself. All business was suspended and every 
able-bodied man, young and old, who was able to bear 
arms, except a few skulkers, went out to the front to 
make trenches and prepare for the fight. General J. 
C. Breckinridge was telegraphed to move at once to 
Lynchburg Avith his forces. General Imboden, with 
some cavalry, pursued raiding parties of the enemy, who 
burned Concord depot, and were moving towards 
Campbell Courthouse. In his swift movements from 
place to place nearly all of his horses were disabled. 

General John McCausland, with about fifteen hun- 
dred cavalrymen, had greatly impeded the progress of 
General Hunter with his twenty thousand men since he 
left Staunton on his terrible raid towards Lynchburg. 
This small force greatly harassed Hunter ; they burned 
the bridge at Buchanan, blocked the roads with trees, 
attacked his front and moved away before the rest of 
his command came up. In his skirmish with the 
enemy Thursday, near New Loudon, General Mc- 
Causland suffered considerably. The Charlotte cavalry, 
under Captain E. E. Bouldin, deserves special mention 
for the part it took as General McCausland's rear 
ffuard. 



218 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Thursday, General Breckinridge reached here, much 
to the relief of the citizens, and at once telegraphed 
General Early at Gordonsville that the enemy was 
moving on Lynchburg. In the meantime General 
Breckinridge, being disabled on account of an injury 
received from the fall of a horse, sent General D. H. 
Hill, who was in the city, to make such arrangements 
as he could for the defence of the place. Brigadier- 
General Hays also assisted him. 

General Hill found the malitia, the reserves, the 
convalescent soldiers and the volunteers guarding every 
pass to the city. The people, though anxious, were 
collected and thoughtful. Nearly every man was deter- 
mined to defend the town to the last extremity. Day 
by day, and hour by hour, the scouts would arrive, and 
report the progress and position of the foe. 

Friday morning, June 17, 1864, it was reported that 
the enemy had approached within a few miles of the 
city. In the afternoon continuous firing was heard. 
It was the brave and indomitable McCausland, with 
his noble little band, and some of Imboden's cavalry, 
near the Quaker meeting house. He was still trying 
to hold the enemy in check until Early arrived, but 
was forced to fall back towards Lynchburg after having 
suffered greatly in the engagement. 

The enemy moved up, and General Hunter, with 
Generals W. W. Averell and George Crook, took up his 
headquarters at Sandusky, the home of Major Hutter, 
near the Quaker meeting house, and used one of the 
chimneys of the house for a signal station. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 219 

After the fight of Friday afternoon hostilities were 
suspended until Saturday morning. About seven 
o'clock our batteries on the Salem turnpike opened 
with an occasional fire. About eleven o'clock a furious 
cannonading set in and continued until late in the after- 
noon. From time to time the roll ot musketry could 
be heard as an accompaniment to the deep tones of the 
artillery. 

People eagerly gazed towards the north to see if they 
could see any signs of Early, who was coming from 
Charlottesville. About one o'clock Saturday, while 
the firing was in progress, the scream of a locomotive 
was heard in the direction of Amherst Courthouse, and 
soon a dense cloud of pine smoke was seen. A thrill 
of joy went like an electric shock through the whole 
place as the train came over the bridge into the 
city, the cars packed with men, and many hanging on 
the outside. When the soldiers disembarked, cheer after 
cheer rent the air. Early had come, and Lynchburg 
was safe once more. 

The men immediately marched to the front, where 
Hunter was slowly advancing, and the few troops gath- 
ered here were bravely trying to check him. Lieuten- 
ant Carter Berkley, Avith a few pieces of artillery, was 
doing valiant service near the toll-gate, when the post 
commander. General Francis Nichols, rode up the line 
cheering the men with the news that reinforcements 
were coming. About this time Tinsley, the bugler of 
the Stonewall Brigade, came up the road sounding the 
advance, and as as soon the men caught sight of General 



220 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Early^s slouch hat and black feather, a loud cheer rent 
the air. As he rode among them he exclaimed : " No 
buttermilk rangers after you now, d — you." The 
Federal troops soon found out the truth of the state- 
ment, when Early began to pour shot and shell into 
their ranks. 

The line of battle extended about a half mile above 
the toll-gate on the Salem turnpike, moving in a north- 
erly direction, including a portion of the land of Dr. 
Owen, Charles Moorman, John B. Lee, H. S. Barks- 
dale, and terminating on the farm of Seth Halsey, near 
Blackwater creek, a distance of about three miles. 

Such was the roughness of the country here and the 
thickness of the wood that it was difficult for any one 
to get a view of the fight. One of our citizens, who 
was in a position to see, said that a battery on Halsey's 
farm did great execution. A large body of cavalry, 
several thousand, drew up in line of battle on Barks- 
dale's farm, on the Forest road. They charged upon 
our fortifications with great spirit, screaming defiantly 
and crying : " Come out of your holes, you d — rascals, 
we've got you now." When they had gotten within 
reach of our grape and canister the order was given to 
fire. Terrible volleys were poured into them, when 
they broke and fled, seeking a hole for themselves. 
Saturday evening the battle ended, and at night, like the 
Arab, General Hunter quietly folded his tent and stole 
away. Some who are versed in military affairs said that 
had the advice of General Rodes been taken. Hunter 
and his whole command would have been captured. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 221 

Sunday morning General Early gave chase and over- 
took the Federal troops near Liberty, inflicting great 
loss upon them. 

In Lynchburg there was quite a difference between 
this Sunday and the one preceding. Now, there was 
the joy of deliverance ; before, there was the gloom of 
impending ruin. All day people were going to and 
coming from the field of battle. About one hundred 
dead Yankees were strewn over the field, many of 
whom were nude and terribly torn by shells ; others 
were shot through the head and heart, showing the accu- 
rate aim of our men. Some were fierce-looking, heavily 
bearded foreigners, while others were beardless boys. 
As these young men were laid away in an unknown 
grave in the land they sought to despoil, many who stood 
near thought of the mother far away waiting for the re- 
turning boy who had gone down to the darkness of the 
tomb. So precipitate was the enemy's flight that the dead 
of Saturday were left to be buried by their foes, or else 
devoured by dogs or vultures. Major Hutter's barn 
was used as a hospital and many wovmded Federal sol- 
diers were cared for there. On the left of the road near 
the Quaker meeting house there were five graves. The 
wooden boards placed at their heads showed them to 
be the following members of the Ninety-first Ohio 
volunteer infantry : George Straup, first-lieutenant 
Company D ; William Randall, Company F ; Samuel 
McKee, Company I ; William Emmons, Company K. 
On the other side of the road a man was laid out in a 
blanket, and on his breast was pinned a piece of paper 



222 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

with this written on it: "Ro. J. Simpson, Co. I. 1st 
Va. Light Infantry." Hunter's loss was one hun- 
dred killed, and about five hundred wounded and miss- 
ing. Our loss was six killed and ninety-five wounded. 

It is said that Hunter was led into Lynchburg by a 
fellow that lived here. If such be the case, his name 
should be known, that the execrations of generations to 
come might be poured out upon this vile traitor, who 
deserves to be ranked with Judas and his kind. 

Hunter at first made Major Hutter a prisoner in his 
own house, and afterwards released him. He talked 
freely with Major Hutter, having known him as an 
army officer before the war. He said he could take 
Lynchburg easily, and that the people had better not 
make any resistance. Friday night the officers were in 
high spirits and boasted that they would eat supper in 
the city Saturday night. When that time arrived they 
were sad and gloomy, and preparing to hurry away. 
Some, however, did reach Lynchburg, for General 
Early sent two hundred and fifty prisoners here. 

With Generals Hunter and Sheridan, trying to get 
to Lynchburg, there were two men that afterwards be- 
came president of the United States, Colonel R. B. 
Hayes and Major William McKinley. The former did 
get here in later years, and should Mr. McKinley come 
this way now, we will make it easier for him to enter 
our city. 

General Hunter was very sullen on account of his 
defeat, and thus wrote General Grant about one of his 
officers : " I dashed on towards Lynchburg, and should 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 223 

certainly have taken it if it had not been for the stu- 
pidity and conceit of that fellow Averell, who unfor- 
tunately joined me at Staunton." Some thought this 
was said because General Averell refused to adopt the 
inhuman methods of the ex-Virginian. This was 
shown on several occasions, two of which may be men- 
tioned. When about to leave Major Hutter's, General 
Averell asked him what he had left. " Nothing sir ; your 
men have taken everything I have to eat," replied 
Major Hutter. " Go out into the herd," said the General, 
" and take your ten cows and drive them into your field, 
and if you don't find yours, take ten of the best and 
add five for interest." Major Hutter could not find 
his stock, so he took fifteen of the best he could find. 
The Yankees moved off, and next day several of the 
neighbors came to notify the Major that their cows were 
in his field, and notwithstanding General Averell' s 
kindness, he was still left without a cow. 

It is well known that when General Sheridan gave 
his order to burn and destroy in the Shenandoah Val- 
ley, " so that a crow flying over would have to carry 
his rations," General Averell said he could not execute 
it, for it was against the rules of civilized warfare. 
When told that he must either execute the order or be 
discharged, he promptly sent in his resignation. Gen- 
eral Hunter knew no mercy, and was a stranger to the 
feelings of humanity in his ruinous raid, hence his re- 
marks about General Averell. 

General Early's description of his movements about 
Lynchburg are of interest, and may be quoted in full : 



224 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

"From Louisa Courthouse I had sent a dispatch to Gordonsville, 
to be forwarded by telegraph to Breckinridge, and on my arrival at 
Charlottesville on June 16, to which place I rode in advance of the 
troops, I received a telegram from him, dated at Lynchburg, in- 
forming me that Hunter was then in Bedford county, about twenty 
miles from that place, and moving on it. The railroad and telegraph 
between Lynchburg and Charlottesville had been, fortunately, but 
slightly injured by the enemy's cavalry, and had been repaired. 
The distance between the two places was sixty miles, and there was 
no train at Charlottesville, except one which belonged to the Central 
road, and was about starting for Waynesboro. I ordered this to be 
detained, and immediately directed, by telegram, all the trains of 
the two roads to be sent to me with all despatch, for the purpose of 
transporting my troops to Lynchburg. The trains were not in readi- 
ness to take the troops on board until sunrise on the morning of the 
17th, and then only enough were furnished to transport about half 
of my infantry. Kamseur' s division, one brigade of Gordon' s divi- 
sion, and part of another, were put on the trains as soon as they 
were ready, and started for Lynchburg. Eodes' division, and the 
residue of Gordon's, were ordered to move along the railroad to meet 
the trains on their return. The artillery and wagon trains had been 
started on the ordinary roads at daylight. 

I accompanied Kamseur' s division, going on the front train, but 
the road and rolling-stock were in such bad condition that I did not 
reach Lynchburg until about 1 P. m., and the other trains were much 
later. I found General Breckinridge in bed, suffering from an in- 
jury received by the fall of a horse killed under him in action near 
Cold Harbor. He had moved from Kockfish Gap to Lynchburg by 
a forced march, as soon as Hunter's movement toward that place 
was discovered. When I showed him my instructions, he very 
readily and cordially ofiered to co-operate with me, and serve under 
my command. 

Hunter's advance from Staunton had been impeded by a brigade 
of cavalry under Brigadier-General McCausland, which had been 
managed with great skill, and kept in his front all the way, and he 
was reported to be then advancing on the old stone turnpike from 
Liberty, in Bedford county, by New London, and watched by Imbo- 
den, with a small force of cavalry. 

As General Breckinridge was unable to go out, at his request 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 225 

General D. II. Hill, who happened to be in town, had made arrange- 
ments for the defence of the city with sucli troops as were at hand. 
Brigadier-General Hays, who was an invalid from a wound received 
at Spottsylvania Courthouse, had tendered his services and also aided 
in making arrangements for the defence. I rode with General Hill 
to examine the line selected by him, and make a reconnoissance of the 
country in front. Slight works had been hastily thrown up on Col- 
lege Hill, covering the turnpike and Forest road from Liberty, which 
■were manned by Breckinridge's infantry, and the dismounted cavalry 
which had been with Jones at Piedmont. The reserves, invalids 
from the hospitals, and the cadets from the Military Institute at 
Lexington, occupied other parts of the line. An inspection satisfied 
me that while this arrangement was the best that could be made, 
under the circumstances in which General Hill found himself, yet it 
■would leave the town exposed to the fire of the enemy's artillery, 
should he advance to the attack, and I therefore determined to 
meet the enemy with my troops in front. 

"We found Imboden about foiu- miles out on the turnpike, near an 
old Quaker church, to which position he had been gradually forced 
back by the enemy's infantry. My troops, as they arrived, had been 
ordered in front of the works to bivouac, and I immediately sent 
orders for them to move out on this road, and two brigades of Kam- 
seur's division arrived just in time to be thrown across the road, at a 
redoubt about two mUes from the city, as Imboden' s command was 
driven back by vastly superior numbers. These brigades, with two 
pieces of artillery in the redoubt, arrested the progress of the 
enemy, and Ramseur's other brigade, and the part of Gordon's divi- 
sion which had arrived, took position on the same line. The enemy 
opened a heavy tire of artillery on us, but, as night soon came on, 
he went into camp in our front. On my arrival at Lynchburg, or- 
ders had been given for the immediate return of the trains for the 
rest of my infantry, and I expected it to arrive by the morning of 
the 18th, but it did not get to Lynchburg until late in the afternoon 
of that day. Hunter's force was considerably larger than mine 
would have been, had it all been up, and as it was of the utmost 
consequence to the army at Richmond that he should not get into 
Lynchburg (Sheridan, with his calvary, was to have united with 
Hunter at Lynchburg, and the two together were to have destroyed 
General Lee's communications and depots of supplies, and then have 



226 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

joined Grant). I did not feel justified in attacking him until I could 
do 80 with a fair prospect of success. I contented myself, therefore, 
with acting on the defensive on the 18th; throwing Breckinridge' s in- 
fantry and a part of his artillery on the front line, while that adopted 
by General Hill was occupied by the dismounted cavalry and the 
irregular troops. During the day there was artillery firing and 
skirmishing along the line, and in the afternoon an attack was made 
on our line to the right of the turnpike, Avhich was handsomely re- 
pulsed, with considerable loss to the enemy. A demonstration of the 
enemy's cavalry on the Forest road was checked by part of Breckin- 
ridge's infantry, under Wharton, and McCausland's cavalry. 

On the arrival of the cars from Richmond this day Major-Generals 
Elzey and Ransom reported for duty, the former to command the in- 
fantry and dismounted cavalry of Breckinridge's command, and the 
latter to command the cavalry. The mounted cavali-y consisted of 
the remnants of several regiments divided into two commands, one 
under Imboden and the other under McCausland. It was badly 
mounted and armed, and its efficiency much impaired by the defeat 
at Piedmont, and the arduous services it had recently gone through. 

As soon as the remainder of my infantry arrived by the railroad, 
though none of my artillery had gotten up, arrangements were 
made for attacking Hunter at daylight on the 19th ; but some time 
after midnight it was discovered that he was moving, though it was 
not known whether he was retreating or moving so as to attack 
Lynchburg on the Bouth, where it was vulnerable, or to attempt to 
join Grant on the south side of James river. Pursuit could not, 
therefore, be made at once, as a mistake, if either of these last two 
objects had been contemplated, would have been fatal. At light, 
however, the pursuit commenced, the Second corps moving along the 
turnpike, over which it was discovered Hunter was retreating, and 
Elzey* 8 command on the right along the the Forest road, while Ran- 
som was ordered to move on the right of Elzey, with McCausland's 
cavalry, and endeavor to strike the emeny at Liberty or the Peaks of 
Otter. Imboden, who was on the road from Lynchburg to Campbell 
Courthouse, to watch a body of the enemy's cavalry which had 
moved in that direction the day before, was to have moved on the 
left towards Liberty, but orders did not reach him in time. The 
enemy's rear was overtaken at Liberty, twenty-five miles from 
Lynchburg, just before night, and driven through that place after a 
brisk skirmish bv Ramseur's division. Jxjbal A. Eaely." 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 227 

The people were profoundly grateful for their de- 
liverance from the terrible destruction that threatened 
them. The city council held a meeting June 24, at 
which the following resolutions were unanimously 
passed : 

Regolved, "That the thanks of the city are due and are hereby 
tendered to Lieutenant-General Jubal A. Early and Major-General 
J. C. Breckinridge, and the officers and soldiers under their com- 
mands, for their timely and efficient services in driving the enemy 
from our borders. 

And to Brigadier-General F. T. Nichols, commandant of the post, 
for his untiring and successful eiforts to meet, with the local forces, 
the advancing foe. 

And to Major-General D. H. Hill and Brigadier-General H. T. 
Hays for their co-operation in organizing the local forces and con- 
structing the lines of defence. 

And to Lieutenant-Colonels R. E. Burke and E. J. Hoge (though 
themselves on crutches), who generously volunteered and were 
placed in command of the convalescents. 

And to the officers and cadets of the Virginia Military Institute, a 
noble band of youthful heroes, for their promptness in the hour of 
danger. 

And to Brigadier-General John McCausland, and the officers and 
soldiers under his command, for their gallantry in opposing for ten 
days the march of a greatly superior force, thereby retarding the 
advance of the enemy on our city untU a proper force could be or- 
ganized for its defence. 

And to Major-Generals Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee, and 
the officers and soldiers under their command, for the defeat of 
Sheridan, thereby preventing a junction of the enemy's forces at this 
place. 

Resolved, That the authorities and the citizens gratefully acknowl- 
edge our obligations to the defenders of Lynchbiu-g — they will ever 
find seats around each fire side, and plates at every board — young and 
old will greet them at the threshold and bid them welcome, thrice 
welcome, to our homes and our hearts. 

A copy — teste : James O. Williams, Clerk." 



228 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Especially did Lynchburg feel indebted to General 
McCausland and his brave band for their heroic efforts. 
To show their appreciation in a more substantial way, 
the citizens called a meeting for Thursday, July 7, to 
raise money to buy a suitable gift for General McCaus- 
land. Three thousand dollars was raised, and a beau- 
tiful sword and a pair of silver spurs were bought for 
him. September 10 was the day appointed for the 
presentation, but an engagement prevented the General 
from being present, and the gifts expressing the people's 
gratitude had to be sent him. 

Lynchburg was called upon to mourn the death of 
another of its distinguished sons. Major General Robert 
E. Rodes was killed at the battle of Winchester, Sep- 
tember 19, 1864. His remains were brought here and 
buried from his father's home, the brick house on Har- 
rison street between Tenth and Eleventh, now occupied 
by Fernando Ford. The funeral took place Friday, 
September 23, and all business houses were closed from 
ten to two o'clock. Never was there a larger turnout or 
a more impressive demonstration. The long proces- 
sion that escorted the remains to the graveyard was 
formed as follows : 

Chief marshals and staff. 

Military escort. 

Masonic fraternity. 

Hearse. 

Pall-Bearers — Military : Major G. H. Hutter, Major J. M. 
Gait, Major K. C. Saunders, Surgeons W. O. Owen, W. C. N. Ran- 
dolph, W. H. Houston ; Masonic : C. W. Button, S. A. Bailey, Van 
Taliaferro, J. H. Robinson ; Citizens : Dr. D. A. Langhorne, F. B. 
Deane, J. M. Cobbs, J. G. Meem. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 229 

Family and relatives. 

Reverend clergy. 

Officers of the navy and marine corps. 

Military. 

Confederate officers, cadets and soldiers not on duty at the post. 

Ambulance corps. 

Judges of Court of Appeals and Circuit Courts. 

Mayor, aldermen and other civil officers. 

City council. 

Officers and employees of railroads. 

Citizens on foot, in carriages and on horseback. 

When the Presbyterian cemetery was reached, Rev. 
James Ramsey conducted the religious service. Then 
followed the Masonic ceremony, after which the body 
of the hero was laid in the tomb. 

General Robert Emmet Rodes was born in Lynch- 
burg, March 29, 1829; his father. General David 
Rodes, being one of our prominent citizens. He grad- 
uated at the Virginia Military Institute in 1848, and 
such was the regard the faculty had for him that he 
was elected an assistant professor. In 1 851 he resigned 
that position to take up his chosen profession, that of a 
civil engineer. He secured a position on the South- 
side road, then being constructed. From here he 
went to Alabama and was connected with the North- 
east and Southwest railroad. 

In 1859 it was decided to divide the chair of Natural 
Philosophy, then held by Thomas J. Jackson (after- 
wards General), and create a chair of Applied Me- 
chanics. Two names were presented to the Institute 
board, Robert E. Rodes and Colonel Alfred L. Rives. 
The esteem in which these two men held each other is 



230 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

shown by the fact that each, without the knowledge of 
the other, presented the other's claims in complimentary 
letters, written at the same time from different parts of 
the country. Colonel Rives peremtorily withdrew his 
name, and Robert E. Eodes was elected. When the 
war broke out General Rodes went to Alabama and 
raised a company of infantry, of which he was elected 
captain, and when the regiment was formed he was 
made colonel. He came to Virginia with his regiment 
May, 1861, and from that time on his career was marked 
by heroism and gallantry. 

At the battle of Seven Pines he charged against the 
enemy's entrenched position and took it, but not until 
his regiment had suffered terrible loss and he himself 
was wounded. For the bravery and skill exhibited on 
this occasion he was made brigadier-general. At 
Chancellorsville as senior brigadier-general he com- 
manded General D. H. Hill's command. His gallant 
charge, with his clarion shout : " Forward men, over 
friend or foe !" broke the enemy's lines. Here, upon 
the recommendation of the great commander. General 
Jackson, he was made major-general. 

His magnanimous spirit and devotion to the Con- 
federacy is shown by an incident which occurred at this 
battle. It is told by General Rodes himself in liis 
report of May, 1863, on the part taken by him at 
Chancellorsville : 

"At this time the enemy opened a similar terrific fire of artillery 
to that which had taken place just before my withdrawal, which 
caused much confusion and disorder, rendering it necessary for me to 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 231 

place guards across the roads to stop stragglers. Shortly after this 
occurrence I was informed that Lieutenant-CJeneral Jackson was 
wounded, and also received a message from Major-General Hill that 
he likewise was disabled, and that the command of the corps de- 
volved on me. Without loss of time 1 communicated with Brigadier- 
Generals Ileth and Colston, commanding respectively the divisions of 
A. P. Hill and Trimble, and made the necessary arrangements for a 
renewal of the attack in the morning, it being agreed that the troops 
were not in a condition to resume operations that night. Just at 
this time (about twelve o'clock), the enemy made an attack on our 
right, but being feeble in its character, and promptly met, it lasted 
but a short while. Very soon after Major-General J. E. B. Stuart, 
who had been sent for by Major A. S. Pendleton, assistant adjutant- 
general of Lieutenant-General Jackson, arrived on the groimd and as- 
sumed command. 

I deem it proper to state that I yielded the command to General 
Stuart, not because I thought him entitled to it, belonging as he does 
to a different arm of tlie service, nor because I was unAvilling to as- 
sume the responsibility of carrying on the attack, as I had already 
made the necessary arrangements and they remained unchanged, but 
because, from the manner in which I had been informed that he had 
been sent for, I inferred that General Jackson or General Hill had 
instructed Major Pendleton to place him in command, and for the 
still stronger reason that I feared that the information that the com- 
mand had devolved on me, unknown except to my own immediate 
troops, would, in their shaken condition, be likely to increase the 
demoralization of the corps. General Stuart's name was well and 
very favorably known to the army, and would tend, I hoped, to re- 
establish contidence. I yielded because I was satisfied the good of 
the service demanded it." 

General F. H. Smith in writing of General Rodes 
says : " He was young, earnest, vigilant, intrepid and 
sagacious. With him there was a reckless disregard of 
personal danger. He was a soldier instinctively and by 
education. As a division general, Major-General Rodes 
had no superior in the Array of Northern Virginia." 



232 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

It was said of him that he never failed in anything 
he undertook. There was a striking similarity between 
him and General Jackson, and many looked upon Gen- 
eral Rodes as the suitable successor to the great leader. 
He and Jackson were classmates, professors and officers 
together, and both fell while nobly discharging their 
duty to their country. Well may Virginia feel proud 
of noble sons like these. 

Troubles now came thick and fast. Nearly every 
man that could bear arms had gone to the front, and 
raiding parties were constantly threatening the city. 
General Colston fortified the Amherst side of Lynch- 
burg and did what he could to protect it against attack. 
No undertaker was here to bury the dead, and even 
the slaves were impressed. There was no 6oal with 
which to make gas, and the city was in darkness. The 
people felt insecure on the streets and in their homes, 
for robberies, thefts and other crimes were of daily 
occurrence. Prices were high ; board at the Orange 
House was twenty dollars a day. Many wanted food, 
so that three and a-half pounds of flour a day had to 
be distributed to the soldiers' families. It seemed as 
if " time were out of joint." 

Earnest eiforts were being made to carry forward the 
religious work. The United Synod of the Presbyterian 
church met here in August, and in November the Vir- 
ginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South held its session here. 

Many deaths were reported. W. B. Cross was killed 
August 21, near Berry ville ; Captain Van R. Otey died 



LyjSCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 233 

September 15th; Thomas B. Davis, mortally wounded 
near Woodstock, died October 8 ; Thomas S. Lankford 
was killed near Petersburg in December, and on the 
13th of the same month the city lost another useful 
citizen in the death of Charles AY. Christian. Colonel 
Maurice Langhorne, Jr., died February 21, 1865, at the 
age of seventy-eight. He commanded a company in 
the AVar of 1812, and when Hunter threatened Lynch- 
burg, every day he took his rifle and rode to the trenches, 
remaining there until dark. He was a man of honor, 
integrity, and simplicity of Christian character. 

At the beginning of this year there was a peculiar 
theft. W. Q. Spence, cashier of the Bank of Virginia, 
came in on the Orange and Alexandria train, having 
with him a carpet-bag containing $375,000. He left 
the car and forgot his bag. A\Tien he returned to get 
it, to his great dismay it was gone. Search was in- 
stituted, and after some time it was found, with most of 
its contents. One of the negro train hands had stolen 
it, and finding it had so much money he was dazed and did 
not know what to do with it. 

A public meeting was held at Dudley Hall, February 
28, to ascertain the views of the people in regard to 
continuing the war. John M. Speed presided and 
Major James Garland, Captain T. J. Kirkpatrick, 
John O. L. Goggin and A. M. Trible spoke. The 
meeting lasted until midnight, and it was decided to 
give the voice of Lynchburg for continuing the war. 

About this time two negro boys were condemned to 
be hanged for breaking into Mrs. S. Tyree's house. 



234 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Lynchburg was again threatened by Sheridan, but 
he did not come, and great relief was felt. Nearly 
every day news of the defeat of some of our troops 
came in, and the people were heavy-hearted. Hard 
times had now come in earnest. There was no express, no 
telegraph, no mail, and, worst of all, no currency. Con- 
federate money being almost worthless. The Virginian 
suspended March 24, and only published an extra 
April 21. But of all sad days, the saddest was when 
the news reached here that General Lee had surrendered 
to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, April 9, 
1865. A heavy pall of gloom spread over the whole 
place. The war was over and the South was defeated. 
Words are inadequate to describe the sorrowful condi- 
tion of the people. 

One division, that under Brigadier-General T. T. 
Munford, did not surrender. Under its gallant com- 
mander it cut its way through the line, and came to 
Lynchburg. After being here a short while it dis- 
banded on the very spot where Colonel Munford's 
regiment was formed in 1861. 

Lynchburg had held out bravely, but after the news 
of General Lee's surrender, and the evacuation by the 
Confederate forces, the council decided to surrender the 
city to the Federals; so April 12 Lynchburg surren- 
dered to General R. S. Mackensie and his brigade. 

One hope was left ; that was that the president, Abra- 
ham liincoln, who had offered several compromises while 
the war was in progress, would befriend the South in 
the the hour of her defeat. But, alas ! the news came 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 235 

that he had been assassinated while attendins: the theatre 
in Washington Friday night, April 14, and that J. 
Wilkes Booth was the assassin. Early Saturday morn- 
ing he died. The greatest excitement prevailed, and 
people everywhere deplored the rash act. 

The cup of sorrow was already full ; it was yet to 
run over as the days passed. General James Dearing was 
fatally wounded by one of his own men near High 
Bridge, April 6, and was brought here to the Ladies' 
Hospital, where he died on the 22d. His remains 
were wrapped in the Confederate flag, for which he had 
fought so bravely, and were carried by private convey- 
ance twenty- five miles into Campbell county, where 
they were tenderly laid to rest in the family graveyard, 
on the Staunton river. 

General Dearing was born in Campbell county, near 
Lynchburg, April 25, 1840. His ancestors were mili- 
tary men of the Revolutionary time. His great-grand- 
father Dearing was an officer under the immediate com- 
mand of General Washington, while his maternal great- 
grandfather. Colonel Charles Lynch, was an officer on 
the staff" of General Greene. General Dearing inherited 
a genuis for military affairs, and even in early life it 
began to show itself, so that he was called " the little 
soldier." 

His father died when he was seven years old, and he 
was adopted by Charles Henry Lynch, a man promi- 
nent in the affairs of Lynchburg. Young Dearing 
attended the school of William Reid here, and then 
Hanover Academy, near Richmond, The spring of 



236 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1858 he was appointed to West Point by Thomas 
S. Bocock, the representative in Congress from this 
district. At West Point he acquitted himself well, 
and would have graduated among the first in his class, 
but in the meantime Virginia seceded and he promptly 
resigned in order to cast his lot with his native State. 
Like others, he was suspected of his sympathy with the 
South, and had great difficulty getting back to Virginia, 
having to go through Ohio and the West to avoid cap- 
ture. When he reached Richmond he at once entered 
the Confederate service, and was assigned as lieutenant 
in the Washington Artillery. The following account of 
General Dearing, written by his commander, General 
Thomas L. Posser, fitly tells of his genius as an officer : 

"Early in June, 1861, I was assigned to duty as instructor of the 
battalion of Washington ArtUlery, of New Orleans, La., as fine a 
body of young men as I ever saw, and I think, without doubt, the 
most skilled artillerists on this continent at that time. I was then a 
first lieutenant of artillery in the regular army of the Confederate 
States. 

James Dearing, of Lynchburg, Va. , was then a second lieutenant 
of artillery in the regular army of the Confederate States, and hav- 
ing known him at the United States Military Academy at West Point, 
I believed that he would make me a valuable assistant, and requested 
the lieutenant-colonel (J. B. Walton), commanding the battalion, 
to apply for him, which he did, and Dearing was promptly assigned. 

Shortly after the battles of Bull Kun and Manassas, in 1861, I was 
elected captain of the Second Battery of the battalion and Dearing 
was attached to my battery. 

Dearing was an extremely handsome and attractive man — over 
six feet tall, graceful, active, quick and fearless. A superb horseman 
and an accomplished artillerist, he soon became the most popular 
young officer in the army. My battery was but little engaged in the 
battles of Bull Run and Manassas, but in the fall of 1861 I was with 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 237 

J. E. B. Stuart in his raids and fights around ^lunson's Hill and 
Lewinsville, and in the many fights and skirmishes in which my 
battery participated, Lieutenant Bearing was conspicuous in ex- 
hibiting superb courage and military skill and ability. 

In the spring of 18()2 Captain H. Grey Latham resigned the 
captaincy of the Lynchburg Battery and Lieutenant James Dearing 
was unanimously elected to take his place as captain of this splendid 
battery. 

From captain, Dearing soon rose to be major of the artillery, and 
was assigned to the command of a battalion of four batteries of 
artillery, and while serving in that capacity he so distinguished him- 
self for dnsh, enterprise and skill, that he was made a brigadier- 
general of cavalry. 

When I was made a major-general of cavalry, General R. E. 
Lee sent for me, and said that he was at a loss to know whom he 
should put in command of my old brigade. He ran over the list of 
colonels — ' One was in prison, one disabled from wounds, one feeble 
in health, and the junior regimental commander, while a most gal- 
lant officer and one of rare ability (Colonel E. V. White), was 
only a lieutenant-colonel, and he was unwilling to advance him 
over the head of such officers as Harman and Dulany.' Continu- 
ing, he said : ' There is a very gallant and meritorious young 
brigadier-general of cavalry, who lias an irregular command, which 
is not such as he should have, and I think it would be best to trans- 
fer him to your old brigade rather than make any promotions in the 
brigade at this time. This officer is a Virginian, but is now com- 
manding North Carolinians. I know you will like him, for he is liked 
by everybody, and is one of the most promising young officers in the 
army.' His name had not been called, and when I asked the old 
General for his name, he replied, 'Dearing — James Dearing.' 
My heart leaped with joy, and the dear old General was delighted to 
see with what pleasure the announcement had filled me. So Dear- 
ing was assigned, became the commander of the renowned ' Laurel 
Brigade,' which had been organized and commanded by the im- 
mortal General Turner Ashby, and was undoubtedly the finest 
brigade of cavalry that ever marched or fought under the 'Starry Cross ' 
of the Southern Confederacy. 

Dearing" s first battle in command of the Laurel Brigade was at 
Dinwiddle Courthouse, March 31, 1865, and the next was Five Forks, 



238 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the next day, and these two engagements were sufficient to show the 
men and officers of the brigade that they were in safe and able 
hands, and murmurings were changed to enthusiastic rejoicing. 

General Bearing did hard fighting at Five Forks, and did not par- 
ticipate in the panic which followed. As a portion of my division, 
General Bearing covered the retreat of General Lee's army from 
Petersburg to Amelia Courthouse. At Amelia Springs, on April 5, 
he drove off a large force of Federal cavalry which was burning the 
wagons of our army, capturing many prisoners and inflicting heavy 
loss on the enemy, and the next day, April 6, he was gallantly lead- 
ing his command in a charge on the enemy, who was endeavoring to 
burn the ' ' High Bridge ' ' over the Appomattox river, near Farm- 
ville, when he was mortally wounded ! 

Thomas L. Rosser." 

When General Dearing was shot, his hand was out- 
stretched firing upon a Federal officer, whom he killed, 
and who proved to be General Read, of Ohio, an old 
classmate at West Point. Previous to this he killed 
another classmate in a sabre fight. Colonel Washburn, 
of Baltimore, whom he did not recognize until after he 
had slain him. General Mackensie was also a class- 
mate, and when he learned that General Dearing was 
at the hospital here he sent a messenger asking that he 
be not moved ; that he would not be required to take the 
oath. Later he came himself, and when admitted to 
the bedside of the dying soldier, he burst into tears and 
turned away, begging that he be called upon to render 
any assistance in his power to his friend and classmate. 
General Fitzhugh Lee, in his report of the battle near 
Paineville, says : " The gallantry of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Dearing in leading the charge of his command was 
here very conspicuous." It may be noted here that at 
the battle of Plymouth, N. C., General Dearing charged 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 239 

with his artillery, Latham's Battery, under Captain J. 
W. Diekerson, leading it, which to this time was 
unknown in warfare. 

A letter from General Lee to General Bearing just 
before he was wounded (now in the possession of his 
family), stated that the papers necessary for his promo- 
tion to major-general were in the hands of the Secre- 
tary of War, and that he deserved the promotion- 
earlier, but that there was special need for him in com- 
mand of the brigade. General Dearing was then 
only twenty-five, being the youngest man of his rank 
in the Confederate army, while General Mackensie was 
the youngest in the Union army. 

General Mackensie staid here only a few days after 
the surrender of the city, and for several weeks the 
place was without a garrison. Then General J. I. 
Gregg was put in command of this district, and Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Duncan was made provost-marshal at 
Lynchburg. The principal business of the town for 
some time was taking the oath of amnesty. The mar- 
shal's office, which was in the "Warwick House, pre- 
sented a busy scene, people crowding in to take the 
pledge of allegiance to the United States. 

The papers resumed their publication in May, but 
only on one sheet, and then everything had to be passed 
upon by a Federal officer before it could be printed. 
The first of May, Chiswell Dabney died, and Lynch- 
burg lost another old and prominent citizen. 

The soldiers were now returning from the war, and 
there was great joy among the men and among their 



240 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

families at receiving their loved ones again alive. But 
what a dreary outlook was before them ; slaves gone, 
property ruined, business wrecked, and money turned to 
dirt. Nothing left, save an unfailing hope and the re- 
membrance of a glorious record for fortitude and 
bravery. But Lynchburg's old time courage was not 
yet gone, and there was hope that as soon as the situa- 
tion could be taken in, there would be a rally. 

There were no banks in the city, the State banks 
having gone into liquidation, and in fact there was no 
money for the banks to handle ; the Confederate notes 
were worthless. This money began to decline from the 
first, as is shown by the following table, which shows the 
value of Confederate money as compared with one 
dollar in gold : 



May, 1861, 
January, 1862, 
February, 1863, 
January, 1864, 
January, 1865, 



? 1 10 April 20, 1865, . . § 200 00 

1 20 April 28, 1865, . . 500 00 

10 00 April 30, 1805, . . 1,000 00 

21 00 May 1, 1865, . . . 1,200 00 

60 00 



Prices in United States money were not high, but 
there was none. After a while the soldiers began 
to circulate some. Still the people were hopeful ; they 
began to fix up their old clothes, hats and bonnets so as 
to make as decent an appearance as possible, and in the 
absence of business the men began to paint and fix up 
their stores. The tobacco business, it was declared, 
was sick and beyond recovery, and the people who had 
been engaffed in it must turn their attention to other 
things. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 241 

The noble women never lost heart, nor faltered in the 
discliarge of their duty. At the Ladies' Hospital and 
other places they continued their great work relieving 
the worn-out soldiers who were returning from Northern 
prisons, poor, ragged, and half starved. They fed 
thousands, often denying themselves to give to the 
heroes of the " Lost Cause." 

An election was held July 25, under the supervision 
of the officer commanding the post and, the civil officers 
of the city were elected. Monday, August 7, the 
Husting Court was organized, with Judge David E. 
Spence, John T. Smith, James A. Hamner and Major 
James Garland, Commonwealth's attorney. This had 
a good effect upon the people, and the city began to 
recover itself. Business was reviving ; the melodious 
sound of the tobacco horn was again heard ; the gas 
company resumed operations, and there was light ; the 
sound of the locomotive echoed over the hills ; the tele- 
graph again established communication with the outward 
M'orld, and the boats with their cargoes were gliding 
along the canal. 

The need of a bank was now felt, so on August 11 
and 23, the First National, with J. M. Miller cashier, 
and the Lynchburg National, with Lorenzo Norvell 
cashier, were organized. The First National opened 
September 16, and this gave impetus to business ; new 
buildings began to go up, stores opened, the newspapers 
assumed their usual size, and everything pointed to 
better times. 

A big fire on Main street, near Seventh, which 



242 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

burned Dr. Seay's drug store and other buildings, 
brought to the attention of the people the need of 
reorganizing the fire companies. The Independent Fire 
Company was immediately organized — J. B. Gaddess, 
captain, Hugh Nelson, first-lieutenant, J. H. Smith, 
second, C. D. Hamner, third ; W. H. Blackford, secre- 
tary, and James Franklin, Jr., treasurer. The only 
apparatus they had was the old hand engine and some 
hose. 

General N. M. Curtis was now put in command of 
Lynchburg, and although there was strong prejudice 
against Federal officers, by his gentlemanly bearing 
and just dealing he greatly endeared himself to the peo- 
ple. In September he proposed an arrangement for 
the education of poor children. He suggested that 
the pastors of the city meet and devise plans for a 
public free school, pledging himself to use one thousand 
dollars he had collected in fines, and to furnish other 
necessary funds until the next summer. The pastors 
held a meeting in the study of Dr. Leroy M. Lee, of 
Centenary church. Those present were Dr. Lee, Rev. 
William McGee, of the Methodist Protestant church ; 
Rev. James Ramsey, of First Presbyterian ; Rev. Jacob 
D. Mitchell, of Second Presbyterian ; Rev. Henry W. 
Dodge, of the Baptist, and Rev. R. N. Sledd, of Court 
Street. It was resolved that the pastors, with the fol- 
lowing laymen, constitute a board of education : T. 
J. Kirkpatrick, C. L. Mosby, W. A. Miller, J. P. 
Bondurant, A. B. Rucker, C. W. Button, J. J. Irby, 
Thomas C. Walsh, John Oyler, and John R. McDaniel. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 243 

Thomas J. Kirkpatrick was made general superintend- 
ent, and in a short while four schools, with about five 
hundred scholars, besides two negro schools, were in 
operation. Besides these, Mrs. M. B. Brown had started 
her female seminary corner Court and Twelfth streets, 
and Eugene Blackford had opened a school for boys. 

A public meeting was called at Dudley Hall, Sep- 
tember 30, to express the sentiments of the citizens of 
Lynchburg in regard to the situation at that time. Judge 
D. A. ^yilson called the meeting to order and W. D. 
Branch, the mayor, was elected chairman. A commit- 
tee was appointed to draft suitable resolutions express- 
ing the feelings of the people of Lynchburg. The fol- 
lowing were reported and unanimously adopted : 

' ' The citizens of Lynchburg, in general meeting assembled, deem 
the present an appropriate occasion to express our opinions upon the 
existing conditions of the country, and in regard to the solemn re- 
sponsibility which devolves upon all who desire the promotion of its 
welfare. 

In the recent disastrous conflict of arms with the constituted au- 
thorities of the United States we honestly and freely contributed of our 
means, moral and material, and sought to discharge our duty faith- 
fully to our State and section in resisting what we believed to be 
dangerous innovations of our guaranteed rights, and in vindicating 
principles we supposed to have been established as Americans by 
the lirst revolution, and canonized by the authority of its illustrious 
authors. Of the agencies which produced this conflict, whether 
springing from the North or the South, or from both, in what propor- 
tion, it is profitless now to speak. The "wager of battle" was 
tendered, the issue joined ; the appeal to arms made, and the South has 
lost the day. We claim to have entered the field in honor, and in 
honor to have waged the battle, and now that we are vanquished, 
yield in honor — submitting with composure to the sacrifices we 
have made ; witnessing with fortitude the sorrow and desolation that 



244 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

have come upon us, and accepting the result as a fact accomplished, 
with the manly purpose to discharge all the obligations it imposes. 
To this we pledge our faith, and shall go forward with renewed hope, 
to dedicate our efforts to meet that obligation ; and thus seek to 
establish once more fraternity between the like contending sections 
and restore forever to our distracted country the blessings of peace, 
order, law and constitutional freedom. Such is our condition, and 
such our views in regard to it ; therefore. 

Resolved, 1. That by the termination of the war and the changes 
it has produced, new relations between the States and the Federal 
Government have sprung into existence. 

2. That we claim as among the reserved rights of the States, the 
privilege, in time of peace, of managing their local affairs in their 
own way, without external interference from any quarter, subject 
only to the duty enjoined upon Congress by the Federal Constitution to 
see that each State has a Republican form of government. And while 
we recognize the abolition of slavery as an existing fact (and have no 
purpose or wish to attempt its restoration in any form), yet, as to all 
other subjects, jurisdiction over which is not given to Congress ex- 
pressly or by necessary implication, the States are the exclusive 
depositories of power. And now the war is ended and no arm raised 
agauist Federal authority, we believe that the ends of good govern- 
ment can be best promoted by the withdrawal of armed forces from 
the States, leaving to each, within its respective limits, the duty of 
administering law and preserving order. 

3. That in the opinions and purposes of Andrew Johnson, Presi- 
dent of the United States, as recently declared, we find reason to 
hope that the principles we have avowed will have in him an able 
and faithful advocate, and to him and his administration thus 
directed, we pledge a manly, cordial and confiding support, believing 
that by so doing we are discharging a solemn duty to ourselves, our 
State and section, and thus aiding the cause of constitutional gov- 
ernment throughout the land. 

4. That it is but an act of simple justice to the United States 
officers who have been in command of this post, Brevet Major- 
General Gregg and Brevet Major-General Curtis, to say that in their 
official position and general intercourse with our citizens they have 
so demeaned themselves as to command the respect and confidence of 
this community. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 245 

5. That to Francis H. Peirpont, Governor of Virginia, we tender 
the expression of our profound respect and confidence. 

6. That in adopting these we claim to act as true and loyal citizens 
of the United States; that while we mourn the desolations of the 
past we will seek to perform the duties of the present." 

Copies of these resolutions were sent to President 
Johnson and Governor Peirpont. 

Several days after this meeting a great sensation was 
created in the city. One hundred and twenty thous- 
and dollars in greenbacks, and a large amount of gold 
coin and bullion, had been stolen from the courthouse, 
where the Federal officers had their headquarters. The 
money was in a safe that belonged to a Confederate 
officer, and attempts were made to throw suspicion upon 
him. Arrangements had been made by Brevet Brigadier- 
General Briscoe to arrest him and a large number of 
citizens as implicated in the robbery. A plot had been 
made to steal the money, and several were taken into 
it. One reported the whole affair, and at once an officer 
from Washington was sent for. The detective came 
and watched the safe through a hole in the wall to see 
who it was stealing the money. To his surprise he saw 
Briscoe take the money from the safe and secrete it. He 
was at once arrested and searched and, among other 
things, false keys to the safe were found upon him. An 
attempt had been made to set fire to tiie courthouse to 
cover up the crime. Briscoe was carried to Washing- 
ton to be tried for his offence. 

An attempt had been made to implicate President 
Jefferson Davis in the assassination of President Lincoln. 



246 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Some witnesses swore to what they knew to be false state- 
ments in order to have him punished, but the charge was 
so utterly false and absurd that it failed of its own rot- 
tenness. Mr. Davis, however, was still a prisoner at 
Fortress Monroe, because he had been President of the 
Confederacy. The ladies of the city, always ready for 
a good work, called a meeting at the Second Presbyterian 
church to urge President Johnson to release him, but 
General Curtis forbid their holding it under the present 
circumstances. They did not give up their purpose, but 
tried another plan ; a long petition was gotton up and 
signed by Mrs. Judge Wilson, Mrs. John Speed, Mrs. 
General Rodes, Mrs. H. S. Bocock, and three hundred 
and twenty other ladies, and sent President Johnson 
asking for mercy for the innocent and renowned prisoner. 
Many events of interest were taking place at this 
time. The Lynchburg Emigration Society was formed, 
and many thought it would solve the questions arising 
from the freedom of the slaves. Under their influence 
one hundred and fifty negroes were induced to go to 
Liberia. October 31, after religious exercises, they left 
over the Orange and Alexandria road, and when next 
heard from they were in Africa. An election was had 
and Charles L. Mosby was elected to Congress, but 
was not allowed to take his seat. Edward D. Chris- 
tian and A. Waddill issued a prospectus for a new 
paper. The Lynchburg News. It was to appear January 
8, 1866, but was delayed until the 15th. Colonel 
Robert E. Withers was editor, and from that day on 
it was one of the city's leading dailies. General Grant 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 247 

was in Lynchburg December 10, but he was not received 
with any enthusiasm, for it was too near April 9. 
Christmas came, but there was not much joy ; the sad- 
ness of the past years still hung like a cloud over the 
people. January 2, the humorous side of life was pre- 
sented by "Moses Addums," Dr. George W. Bagby, 
that natural humorist, and at one time a citizeii of 
Lynchburg. The subject of his lecture was " Fools," 
and his tickets read " Fools, admit one." On the 9th 
the soldiers were withdrawn and the city guarded by our 
own police. A freedman's court was also organized, 
but it lasted only a few months. 

A great enterprise was now on hand. Several months 
back it was reported that coal oil had been discovered 
near Lynchburg. The people became deeply interested 
and soon the Campbell County Oil Company was or- 
ganized, with Robert W. Crenshaw, president and 
superintendent ; A. McDonald, secretary, and Thomas 
E. Murrell, treasurer. There was a clamorous rush for 
stock, for each stockholder thought he would become 
rich. It was thought that oil would restore the wealth 
lost by the war, and that the outlay would be paid a 
thousand fold. Arrangements were made to have one of 
the greatest celebrations in the history of the town 
when oil was struck ; for if cotton was not king, oil 
would be, especially as it was selling for one dollar a 
gallon. In February the machinery arrived and prepa- 
rations for boring began. In the meantime others 
thought they had discovered oil near the Orange depot ; 
so the Lynchburg Mining and Petroleum Company 



248 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was organized. It turned out that the oil near the 
depot was only the leakage from some barrels once 
stored there, so this company went up. The other 
company, however, put its machinery in place and began 
boring. They bored several hundred feet, and reported 
that the prospect for oil was very encouraging. After 
they had gone four hundred and fifty feet, a call was 
made for more money. The money came and the bor- 
ing continued. When last heard from the well was 
six hundred feet, and there was no sign of oil. The 
process was now reversed and the stockholders were 
being bored by the well ; for of the seven thousand dol- 
lars collected all had been spent but about three hun- 
dred. Thus closed Lynchburg's first and last oil ven- 
ture. This failure did not discourage the people ; if 
they could not strike oil they could build a railroad. 
A proposition for a railroad to Danville had been made, 
and after much discussion, within ten months after the 
surrender the subscription books were opened under 
the direction of F. B. Deane, Samuel McCorkle, John 
M. Warwick, D. W. Burton, Bowling Clarke, Charles 
H. Lynch and A. J. Clarke. It was indicative of 
the great courage and energy of Lynchburg, to begin an 
enterprise of this kind before the smoke of battle had 
scarcely cleared away. 

Following this was the organization of the Virginia 
Industrial Association, with an authorized capital of 
five million dollars. This sounded very big for the 
Hill City. W. D. Miller was president ; General E. 
Kirby Smith, vice-president ; Thomas E. McNeil, general 



ii^^mn.} ::'^ 




LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 249 

superintendent ; G. W. Latham, solicitor, and Thomas 
S. Stabler, secretary. The object of the association was 
to inaugurate large industrial movements, but the last 
heard of it was its organization. 

The opinion of the people in regard to Andrew 
Johnson had been radically changed since Lincoln's 
death. One of the largest public meetings ever seen 
in the city was held February 22, to endorse his ad- 
ministration. After several very earnest speeches, the 
following resolutions were adopted : 

" Whereas, The recent exhibition by President Johnson of a fear- 
less and patriotic determination to carry out, in good faith, the prin- 
ciples of restoration so often enunciated by him, has especially com- 
mended him to the admiration of the people; therefore 

Mesolvcd, That the citizens of Lynchburg cordially approve of the 
general policy pursued by Andrew Johnson, president of the United 
States, in tlie re-establishment of the Union, and believe that his 
efforts to preserve the authority of the Constitution of the United 
States, and to secure the people of the several States their just rep- 
resentation in Congress, entitle him to the moral and political sup- 
port of all patriotic citizens, and they pledge themselves to co-operate 
with and sustain him in all such endeavors." 

Grace Episcopal church was formally opened by Rev. 
"W. H. Kinckle April 1, and on the 19th the second 
pipe organ in the town was used in religious service at 
Court Street church, Professor Kreuttner being organist. 
Rev. W. E. Judkins, pastor of Centenary church, was 
earnestly working to pay the indebtedness on the new 
church. 

An important gathering was that of the ladies of the 
city in the lecture-room of the ISIethodist Protestant 
church, April 26. The object of the meeting was to 



260 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

form an association to have the graves of the several 
thousand Confederate soldiers buried here enclosed, and 
to fix a day for the annual decoration of these graves. 

May 10, the day of General Jackson's death, was 
fixed upon, and the association permanently organized, 
with Mrs. H. F. Bocock, president ; Miss Celeste 
Slaughter, Mrs. Dr. Mitchell, Mrs. E. D. Christian 
and Miss Carrie M. Warwick, vice-presidents ; Mrs. 
Ira Dodge, secretary, and Mrs. J. M. Speed, treasurer. 

The first Memorial Day was observed the following 
May. All places of business were closed, and a long 
procession, commanded by General E. Kirby Smith, 
chief marshal, and Colonel M. S. Langhorne, assistant, 
marched to the cemetery and lovingly decorated the 
graves of the fallen heroes with a wealth of rich spring 
flowers. The ladies continued to work, assisted by the 
Philharmonic Society, until they had raised money 
enough to enclose the plot and have the graves turfed. 

The Lynchburg Hose Company, James Dinwiddle, 
chief engineer, and the Hook and Ladder Company, 
Samuel A. Boyd, captain, had been reorganized. A 
fire look-out was stationed in the cupola of the court- 
house at night. Before, when fire was discovered, a 
policeman had to run to the courthouse, grope his way 
up to the top and ring the bell, and by that time the 
fire had gained great headway. In July, the reorganized 
companies had a good opportunity to test their skill, 
when the big fire corner Fifth and Court streets occurred, 
in which the factory of Kinnear and Reynolds, the 
African Baptist church, and P. McDivitt's residence, 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 251 

were burned. The volunteer companies were faithful 
in fighting fire, which they did with some relish, but 
their great enjoyment was the annual parade and sup- 
per, and the water battles in the street. What citizen 
does not remember how on a summer afternoon business 
on Main street was suspended for several hours to wit- 
ness the water fight between two hose companies ? 

There were many indications of the progress the city 
was now making. The prophecy that tobacco was dead 
proved false, for John ^Y. Stone carried a hogshead to 
the National Fair at Cincinnati and won the premium. 
He afterwads sold this tobacco, five hundred and seventy 
pounds, at nine hundred and five dollars a hundred. 
In October, W. A. Toot sold at Friends' warehouse, for 
J. M. Moore, a lot of tobacco for John W. Carroll's 
Lone Jack, at eleven hundred and sixty dollars per 
hundred. This was the highest price ever paid for 
tobacco in Lynchburg. The Methodist Protestant and 
the Catholic churches were undergoing improvement, 
and the corner-stone of the negro Methodist church on 
Jackson street was laid by John R. McDaniel, October 
2. A party of Pennsylvania capitalists bought property 
above the city near Ives' dam to establish a rolling 
mill, and the Lynchburg Mercantile Association, with 
A. B. Rucker president, was organized. The largest 
movement of all was the city's subscription of sixty 
thousand dollars to the Lynchburg and Danville railroad. 
Many private citizens had already taken stock, and now 
it seemed that the road was secured. Preparations were 
made to begin work, and at a meeting held at Dudley 



252 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Hall, F. B. Deane -was mado president, and Colonel 
William M. Blackford, chief engineer. In 1 850, Lynch- 
burg was reputed to be the richest place in the United 
States in proportion to its population, New Bedford, 
Mass., being next, and it would seem, from the great 
spirit of improvement that it intended to be rich once 
more. The people used their wealth when they had it. 
It was a Lynchburg lady, Mrs. John HoUins, who gave 
five thousand dollars to Boutetourt Springs School, and 
in honor of her its name was changed to Hollins In- 
stitute. 

Much interest centered in the meeting of the Metho- 
dist Protestant Conference here, November 1, because 
of the discussion of the question as to whether that 
church should unite with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South. 

The young people felt that they must have some 
amusement ; so, on November, a big tournament was 
held at the old Fair Grounds. A large crowd attended, 
and at night the queen was crowned and a large ball 
was given at the Cabell House. The ladies of Diamond 
Hill were holding a feast at Masonic Hall to repair the 
old foot-bridge on Church street, and another amuse- 
ment enjoyed by the young men was riding the veloci- 
pede, which had lately been introduced. 

The first event of note in 1867 was the great snow 
storm of Sunday, January 20. It was the deepest 
snow since the memorable storm of '57. It was an 
enjoyable thing for the boys, who spent their time 
sliding down the hills, but there was great suffering 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 253 

among the poor and destitute, and especially among the 
negroes, who were freed and who had not yet learned 
to provide for themselves. 

November 1, 1866,in Washington city, whither he had 
gone for a short while, J. M. Speed died. He was one 
of Lynchburg's leading lawyers and most distinguished 
citizens. His funeral was from St. Paul's church, of 
which he had long been a member. Now the whole 
city was in mourning at the news of another death. 
Between the hours of one and two Saturday morning, 
March 2, the Rev. W. H. Kinckle, rector of St. Paul's 
church, died at his home, corner Seventh and Clay 
streets. His health had been impaired by exposure 
during the severe winter weather while on missions 
of mercy. On one of the severest days in Jan- 
uary, during the deep snow, he walked seven miles 
into the country to preach a funeral, and here laid 
the foundation of the disease, pneumonia, of which 
he died. Mr. Kinckle had been rector of St. 
Paul's twenty years, and during that time had built 
two new churches, St. Paul's and Grace. He was pre- 
eminently a man of good works and godly life. He 
was often seen night and day burdened with fuel and 
provisions for the poor. One night a policeman saw 
two men trudging through the snow with a lot of wood. 
Thinking they were thieves he went to arrest them, 
when to his surprise it prov^ed to be j\Ir. Kinckle, with 
his son Frank, carrying wood to some needy person. 
His charities were broad and few know the extent of 
his benefactions. As a preacher he was earnest and 



254 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

impressive, and as a pastor, devoted to his flock. He 
was genial, warm-hearted and noble, always ready with 
a pleasant word or a kind act, and withal a devout 
Christian. 

His funeral was from St. Paul's church, March 4, 
and the admiration and love for him was attested by 
the great crowd that attended. His remains were borne 
to Spring Hill cemetery, and by loving hands placed 
in the tomb. His funeral sermon was preached by 
Bishop Johns, Sunday, the 31st, and in honor of his 
memory all the other churches closed. 

Lynchburg had been rapidly recovering from the 
effects of the war and the outlook was bright, when 
suddenly a dark cloud lowered and prosperity received 
a check. President Johnson had vetoed the Military 
Bill, but it was passed notwithstand this, and March 
5, Virginia and nine other Southern States were put 
under military rule. This was the beginning of that 
awful period of reconstruction. The people were very 
blue over this act of vandalism ; the war was over and 
they desired peace, but it seems that the " Wild Cat 
Congress" was seeking revenge and strife. 

General Schofield was put in command of Virginia, 
March 13, and he assigned General Wilcox to Lynch- 
burg. It was about this same time that Thad. 
Stephens, of Pensylvania, offered a bill to seize all 
public lands in the South, and divide them among the 
negroes, but even the radical Congress could not stand 
such a measure as this, and it was defeated. 

Another trouble now came upon the city. For nearly 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 255 

twenty years Lynchburg fought for the Virginia and 
Tennessee railroad, and up to this time it had remained 
a separate corporation. In 186G, it was proposed to '\ 
consolidate this road and the Southside. The city 
bitterly opposed it, and after a long controversy the 
proposition was defeated at a meeting of stockholders 
presided over by Bishop Early. Now the question 
had come up again, and J. F. Slaughter and Charles 
W. Statham were fighting hard for consolidation, while 
Major James Garland, Colonel II. W. Withers and 
John W. Daniel were opposing it. Lynchburg again 
entered its protest, but when William Mahone succeeded 
Colonel ^^^^^iirp L. Owen as president of the Virginia 
and Tennessee road, the people felt that they were de- 
feated, and a sad day it was for the city, for what was 
predicted for consolidation has come true, and Lynch- 
burg has been made but little more than a way-station 
by the road it built. 

May 22, the corner-stone of the African Baptist 
church, on Court street near Fifth, was laid. In July, 
Rev. H. Suter succeeded Mr. Kinckle as rector of St. 
Paul's, and in September Rev. James Grammar took 
charge of Grace church. 

These were turbulent times. June 17, R. H. and D. 
Booker fired upon Major R. H. Glass and wounded 
him in the eye, causing him to lose the sight of it. The 
trouble arose from an article in the Republican, of 
which Major Glass was editor. 

Under the military rule the white people and the 
negroes were registering in order to vote in the October 



266 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

election, which was to elect delegates to the convention 
that was to frame a new State constitution. The dele- 
gates elected were from the"trooly loil" party, negroes 
and white people. This was the notorious Underwood 
convention, which first relieved the State treasury of all 
its money and then framed what was called a constitu- 
tion. 

There seemed to be no end to trouble, and now one 
was coming from a source that was not looked for. 
The city had not redeemed its small notes of 1862, and 
its bonds of 1863, and was not able to do so now. 
The people therefore began to pay their taxes in this 
kind of money, and it threatened serious trouble. The 
question of the validity of these small notes was brought 
up, and here began a lawsuit that was not settled for 
many years afterward, 

January 1, 1868, witnessed a very pleasant affair in 
the dinner party given by Patrick Matthews at his 
home next to the Washington Hotel. The party was 
unusual, in that no one was invited who was not seventy- 
five years of age or older. The best dinner that the 
place could afford was prepared by J. M. Booker and 
his wife. Those present were, Bishop Early, Lindsay 
Shoemaker, Albon McDaniel, Dr. William Owen, 
Thomas Ferguson, Chesley Hardy, George Percival, 
Absalom Williams, James McDonald, James Fretwell, 
Pleasant Labby, David R. Edley, James V. Knight, 
Judge Daniel A. Wilson, Michael Connell, Warren 
Gannaway, Major James Garland and John G. Meem, 
the oldest citizens of Lynchburg at the time. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 257 

About this time the Klu Klux Klans were organized 
all over the South to prevent the negroes from commit- 
ting crimes ; and Lynchburg had one of these societies. 
They scared the negroes terribly, some declaring that 
they saw men like trees and big white horses ten feet 
high. Secret meetings were held and queer advertise- 
ments would appear. Colonel Coolcy, the Federal 
commander here, tried in vain to break them up, but 
no one knew who belonged to them or anything about 
them. 

The municipal officers were appointed by General 
Schofield, but an election was soon to be held for gov- 
ernor, lieutenant-governor, and attorney-general, antici- 
pating an early removal of military rule. The conserva- 
tives named Colonel Robert E. Withers for governor. 
General James A. Walker, for lieutenant-governor and 
John L. Marye for attorney-general. Some heated 
political discussions were held on the court green, where 
the houses of C. Christian and J. W. Gilliam now 
stand. Majors James Garland and John W. Daniel 
spoke for the conservatives and S. D. Williamson, 
"Violet," as he was called, and Squire Taliaferro, a 
negro from Richmond, for the radicals. The election, 
however, amounted to nothing, for military rule was 
continued. It was on the day of this election that 
there was a terrible riot among the negroes. Ned 
Horton, a large negro, employed by the express com- 
pany, said that he intended to vote the Conservative 
ticket. He made good his promise, and at Friends' 
warehouse cast his vote with the white people. When 



258 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

he came on the street a crowd of negroes attacked him. 
He moved towards Ninth street and to Main, the 
crowd still jeering him and striking him. When he 
turned the corner at Main and Ninth streets he drew a 
long knife and continued retreating until he reached the 
steps of J. P. Bell's bookstore, then on the site now 
occupied by the Krise Banking Company. He was 
then struck down by a stone, but, recovering himself, 
he drew a large navy pistol, and deliberately fired some 
five or six shots at the mob, wounding several and dis- 
persing them ; but they quickly assembled again. In 
the meantime a squad or company of soldiers double- 
quicked down the hill from the courthouse, and finally 
dispersed the mob and took Horton into custody. He 
was afterwards tried both by the civil and military tri- 
bunals and acquitted. The animosity of the negroes 
against Horton was so great that it was not considered 
safe for him to remain here, and he was transferred by 
the express company to Alexandria, where he soon lost 
his life while boating with two other negroes on the 
Potomac river ; the boat was upset, Horton being 
drowned and the others escaping. 

The meeting of the Protestant Episcopal Council 
here iu May was of especial importance because of the 
attendance of General Robert E. Lee as a delegate. 
As he came out of church one day he presented Sidney 
Strother, who was then a child, with a bouquet of flowers, 
which he still preserves. Rev. Dr. W. E. Munsey, 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, happened to 
be in the city at the same time. He had never seen 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 259 

General Lee until he naet him here on the street. As 
soon as Pr. INIunsey met him he stepped off of the side- 
walk and stood motionless with bare head until he 
passed. General Lee in recognition raised his hat, and 
not a word was spoken by either. The great heart of 
the eloquent divine was so moved at meeting the grand 
chieftain, that tears welled up in his eyes and ran down 
his hollow cheeks. It was a spontaneous tribute which 
genius and virtue paid to greatness and goodness. Nor 
was this the only case ; wherever the General went the 
people sought an opportunity to do him honor. 

The Philharmonic Society gave an oratorio in June, 
which was quite an event, and at the same time another 
bid was made for Randolph-Macon College. Holcombe 
Hall, which was much damaged by being occupied by 
Confederate and Federal troops, was refitted and opened 
as a theatre. Main street at the corner of Ninth had 
been used as a sale place by the auctioneers. Cattle, 
horses, wagons, chairs, beds and all kinds of rubbish were 
sold there. The council passed an ordinance banishing 
the lusty auctioneer to other places and the papers de- 
clared that " the glory of Ned Akers, Bony Burch and 
Balda Crenshaw had departed." This was the time of 
fires ; nearly every night the fire companies were called 
out. For convenience the city was divided by Court 
and Ninth streets into four fire wards, so that when the 
alarm was given the ward could be struck. The old 
hand engine was of little service, and there was talk of 
buying a steamer. 

Another effort was made against the consolidation of 



260 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the Virginia and Tennessee and Southside roads. Bishop 
John Early, Major J. Garland, Judge D. A. Wilson, 
J. P. Bondurant, W. A. Strother, A. B. Stratton, Seth 
Woodroof and many others petitioned Mayor Albon 
McDaniel to call a public meeting to oppose it. The 
meeting, which was held at Dudley Hall, October 29, 
decided to appeal to the military tribunal to submit the 
question to a vote of the people. The council appointed 
by the Federal officer had rejected a petition for this 
purpose signed by over two hundred business men. At 
this same meeting Dr. E-. S. Payne submitted a corres- 
pondence, signed by Thomas H. Calloway, president of 
the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia road, charg- 
ing General Mahone with mismanagement of the Vir- 
ginia and Tennessee road, and with discriminating against 
Lynchburg. J. F. Slaughter and Charles W. Statham 
defended Mahone, and presented a series of sixty-four 
pages of letters in his defence. General Mahone then 
lived in Lynchburg, and despite the efforts of his fellow- 
citizens to defeat him, in November he was again elected 
president of the road. 

The effects of reconstruction were now everywhere 
apparent ; commerce seemed to be paralyzed, store- 
houses were vacant, the tobacco business seemed to be 
ruined, and property was rapidly declining in value. 
The outlook was indeed serious. Efforts were made to 
revive Lynchburg, but without effect ; reconstruction 
thwarted everything. The soldiers here were a rough, 
rowdy and drunken set, continually fighting with the 
negroes, and creating general disorder, and robberies 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 261 

were of nightly occurrence. Besides, the oath required 
before holding any office, civil or military, in the State 
was monstrous, and could scarcely be taken by one 
Southern man in five thousand without perjury. The 
required oath ^vas that you had not given aid, counte- 
nance, counsel or encouragement to persons engaged in 
armed hostilities against the United States, nor yielded 
a voluntary support to any pretended government, au- 
thority or power, or constitution within the United 
States, hostile or inimical thereto. So drastic was it 
that Senator Bayard of Deleware refused to take it. 
Added to all this there was a brilliant meteoric shower 
Saturday morning, November 14, from twelve or one 
o'clock until day-break. Some thought the world was 
coming to an end, and many did not care if it did, if 
by that means they could get rid of the Yankee sol- 
diers and reconstruction. 

Lynchburg was called upon, November 26, to mourn 
the loss of another of its distinguished citizens. Frank 
B. Deane died at his home on Diamond Hill. He was 
one of the truest, best and most useful citizens Vir- 
ginia ever produced. Such was the esteem in which 
he was held that a public meeting was called to pass 
resolutions, and to arrange for his funeral. All the or- 
ganizations of the city and a large number of citizens 
followed him to his last resting place in the Presby- 
terian cemeters'. 

It seems as if this year of trouble could not close 
without one more disaster. This was December 23, 
when the Virginia and Tennessee machine shops burned 



262 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

up. The main building of the shops was the old cot- 
ton factory. Two men lost their lives in the fire, G. P. 

Gambill and Cassidy. The round house also 

caught fire, but N. L. Price climbed to the top and in 
a novel way extinguished the fire. For saving this 
property he was given a free pass over the road for life. 

When the new year opened prospects began to 
brighten. There was a great deal of talk of the read- 
mission of Virginia into the Union, and people hoped 
that 1869 would bring peace and prosperity. The 
Freedman's Bui-eau had expired and the old shanty on 
the court green had been pulled down. The Eeal 
Estate Savings Bank, W. D. Hart president, and the 
Peoples Savings, J. D. Langhorne president, had been 
organized. Some northern capital was coming in ; the 
decline in real estate had ceased, and business looked a 
little better. 

January 8, John O. L. Goggin, another useful citizen, 
and prominent member of the bar, died at his home on 
Grace street. 

A convention was to assemble in Richmond, March 
17, to discuss the question of the readmission of Vir- 
ginia into the Union. A public meeting was held here 
in the Masonic hall, February 8, to consider the ques- 
tion. B. H. Nowlin was appointed chairman. The 
meeting declared in favor of readmission, but not un- 
der the unjust and dangerous provisions of the Under- 
wood constitution. Delegates to Richmond were ap- 
pointed, and resolutions regarding reconciliation and 
peace were passed. 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 263 

In view of the fact that President Johnson would 
retire March 4, to give place to General Grant, a large 
number of prominent citizens addressed the following 
letter to him : 

" To His Excellency Andrew Johnson, 

President of the United Slates : 
The undersigned citizens of LjTicliburg, Virginia, supposing that 
jour Excellency will pass through this city in a few davs en route to 
your home in Tennessee, avail themselves of the opportunity to ex- 
tend to you the hospitality of the city, and express the hope that it 
will be agreeable to your Excellency to accept the same. 
With sentiments of high regard, they are most respectfully, 

Albon McDaniel, Mayor," 
et at. 

President Johnson accepted the invitation, and the 
citizens began preparations for his reception. A meet- 
ing was held at the Norvell House, and the following 
reception committee appointed : Alexander McDonald, 
J. R. McDaniel, E. D. Christian, C. M. Blackford, c! 
H. Massie, Dr. M. N. Fleming, J. William Morgan, 
W. A. Strother, George M. Rucker, William King, 
Colonel F. Huger, Dr. W. O. Owen, William Waller, 
John Abrahams, and Major John S. Langhorne. 

March 18, the day set for the visit, the reception 
committee went to Charlottesville to meet the distin- 
guished guest. When Mr. Johnson and his party ar- 
rived a large crowd was at the depot to meet him. He 
was escorted to a carriage drawn by four horses, which 
was waiting for him, and as the procession moved 
through the crowd of spectators, cheer after cheer arose. 
When the Norvell House was reached Mr. Johnson 



264 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

made a short address from the balcony, and this was 
the occasion for renewed cheering. 

At ten o'clock in the evening the party sat down to 
a sumptuous banquet prepared by Messrs. Holt. Hon- 
orable Thomas S. Bocock took the head of the table. 
The first toast was : " His Excellency Andrew John- 
son, ex-president of the United States, the champion 
of the Constitution, whose name will ever be held dear, 
and whose great fame will ever be cherished by every 
American patriot." Mr. Johnson responded, stating 
his great gratification and pride on this occasion, and 
saying that he had rather be free from the presidency 
than inaugurated the second time over the ruins of a 
violated Constitution. Other toasts were oifered by 
Wm. T. Yancy, J. W. Morgan, F. J. Betts, of New 
York, C. M. Blackford, Edward S. Gregory and others. 
The next day a reception was held from eleven to 
two o'clock, and during the whole time there was a 
stream of callers, among whom were many of the 
venerable citizens, ladies and business men of the city. 
There being no home military companies, as a mark of 
honor all the fire companies turned out, and Fire Mar- 
shal Cobbs and the captains went up and invited Mr. 
Johnson out to review them. At four in the afternoon 
the party left in a private car over the Virginia and 
Tennessee road for Tennessee. 

It was very fitting for Lynchburg to thus honor Mr. 
Johnson, because of the indignity offered him by some 
impetuous young men before the war, but more esj^e- 
cially because he was a calm, judicious and fearless 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 265 

statesman, withal human, and therefore not without his 
faults. Few histories have ever done this man justice ; 
the North did not like him for the stand he took after 
Mr. Lincoln's death, and the South was slow getting 
over the fact that he was a strong Union man from the 
begining of the great controversy. When we consider 
his surroundings and the position he took in defence of 
the South and for the Constitution, every unprejudiced 
mind must admire his bravery and fidelity. It will 
not be a digression to state here some of the brave and 
true positions he took which engendered such bitter 
antagonism against him in Congress and throughout 
many places in the North. He vetoed the Civil Rights 
Bill and the Freedman's Bureau Bill, and proclaimed 
that as the war was over the military companies should 
be removed from the South. He desired the release of 
Mr. Davis, and urged that the Southern Senators and 
Congressmen be allowed to take their seats ; that to pro- 
hibit them now was unconstitutional. He wanted peace, 
order, tranquility and civil authority to exist in the 
whole country, and to this end be proclaimed the writ 
of habeas corpus restored in the South and martial law 
removed. He opposed the Fifteenth Amendment, 
vetoed the Negro Suffrage Bill for the District of Co- 
lumbia, and declared himself for a speedy, public and 
impartial trial. 

Congress became more and more antagonistic to him, 
and Sloan, of Missouri, offered a resolution to impeach 
him, " in order that the fruits of victory and the will 
of the people could be carried out." Even this did 



266 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

not deter the brave statesman ; he vetoed the Military 
Bill and the supplementary Keconstruction Bill, and in 
his message on this occasion said in reference to the 
South : " Reconciliation is our duty. We should gen- 
erously meet them in the spirit of charity and forgive- 
ness, and conquer them even more efiectually by the 
magnanimity of the nation than by the force of arms." 
When the Reconstruction Bill was passed over his veto 
he proclaimed the supremacy of the judiciary and 
ordered military commanders to obey and protect the 
courts. In his annual message of 1867, he arraigned 
" the perverse malice of a profligate Congress/' and 
pointed out the greatest of all dangers yet encountered, 
that of trying to Africanize half our country. 

Congress was bitter against him for the action already 
taken, and when he removed E. M. Stanton from the 
Secretaryship of War, the impeachment proceedings 
growing out of" the perverse malice of a profligate Con- 
gress " began in earnest ; but the scheme was defeated, 
and no place rejoiced more than did Lynchburg. One of 
his last and most significant acts was the proclamation 
of general amnesty, December 25, 1868. It extended 
" full and unconditional pardon to all engaged in the re- 
bellion, without restriction, to all and every person 
directly or indirectly engaged in it, with restoration of 
all rights and privileges under the Constitution." 

The papers of the time spoke of him in high terms. 
One said he was the greatest representative man of the 
age, adamantine, the friend of law, peace and govern- 
ment. Another said : " No man ever lifted himself 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 267 

more proudly against the torrent of popular denuncia- 
tion than ho. Northern fanatics and political intriguers 
tried to intimidate him ; blandishments did not soften 
him, and threats did not frighten him. He devoted him- 
self to the Constitution, and in face of the storm of 
Congress and the North, he stood fast, the friend of the 
oppressed South." And now as prejudice and passion 
dies out, the wisdom of Mr. Johnson's position becomes 
more apparent. Many believe that his policy was sim- 
ilar to that which would have been adopted by Mr. 
Lincoln had he lived. 

Lynchburg was now prepared for the worst, and it 
seems that it was coming. The judge of the Circuit 
Court, Judge David Spence of the Hustings Court, 
Major James Garland,for eighteen years commonwealth's 
attorney, and the clerk of the courts, were all removed 
by General Schofield, and military appointees put in 
their places, Frederick J. Betts succeeding Judge 
Spence. Notwithstanding all this the people felt kindly 
towards the subordinate officers, who deported them- 
selves as gentlemen ; an instance of this was when 
Colonel F. M. Cooley, who had charge of Lynchburg, 
was removed. His friends gave him a dinner at the 
AVashington Hotel. 

Saturday morning, March 27, at his home three 
miles from the city, Samuel Miller died. He was 
seventy-seven years old, having been born in a log 
cabin in the mountains in Albemarle county, June 30, 
1792. His mother, who was a weaver, was very poor, 
and the boy had to begin work early, making his first 



268 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

money picking avooI off of the briers where the sheep 
went along. He had few or no advantages, and as a 
young man came here and found employment in the 
store of Benjamin Perkins. By close economy and 
application he was enabled to go into business for him- 
self, and, in a small way, began buying tobacco. He 
failed twice, but again got on his feet and began to 
operate in stocks and securities. At this he was very 
successful, and amassed a large fortune. In 1829 his 
health failed and he retired to his farm near the city. 
He was never married, and lived alone, with the excep- 
tion of a few servants. He Avas polite and agreeable 
to all comers, but did not court company. Alone with 
his bonds, stocks and newspapers, he spent his days 
often in pain and suffering, a rich man to be pitied. 
Rev. R. N. Sledd conducted his funeral services, and he 
was buried temporarily at Bowles' farm, but was after- 
wards removed to the Orphan Asylum grounds, where 
a handsome monument was erected over him. 

Mr. Miller was a man of superior mind, sagacious 
and farseeing. It might be said that he was a remark- 
able man in some respects ; living here in an inland 
town, and operating almost altogether through news- 
paper quotations, he accumulated a fortune of several 
million dollars, when to be a millionaire was thought 
to be immensely rich. 

Several years before his death he gave a beautiful 
park of forty acres for the establishment of the Lynch- 
burg Orphan Asylum, and in June, '68, he appointed 
the following corporators and laid aside a large 



LYNCHBUKG AND ITS PEOPLE. 269 

amount for building and endowment: A. B. Rucker, 
president ; John G, Meem, vice-president ; J. O. Wil- 
liams, secretary and treasurer; C. W. Button, J. H. 
Flood, J. J. Terrell, J. F. Slaughter, L. Norvell, D. 
P. Halsey, ^Y. A. Miller, G. D. Davis, T. E. Mur- 
rell and D. E. Spence. In his will, for which a 
thousand-dollar stamp had to be secured from Phila- 
delphia, he left the city, besides three hundred thousand 
dollars to the Orphan Asylum, the city park and twenty 
thousand dollars with which to build a reservoir on 
College Hill. He left about two millions to found an 
industrial school in Albemarle, the Miller School. 
Chiswell Dabney, Samuel McCorkle and N. R. Page 
w^ere his executors. Some of his children brought suit 
to have the will set aside, and for many years it 
was pending, and was finally settled by each getting 
about seventy-five thousand dollars, and the rest going 
as directed. 

The Ladies' Memorial Celebration this year w^as of 
especial interest. The Fire Department, Masons, Tem- 
perance Societies, Odd-Fellows, Sunday-schools and a 
large number of citizens turned out. Besides decorat- 
ing the graves of the soldiers, the corner-stone of a 
monument was to be laid. The monument was to cost 
eight hundred dollars, and the ladies had raised all 
but fifty ; having raised nearly four thousand dollars 
for everything. The exercises were opened with prayer 
by Rev. R. N. Sledd ; then followed an address by 
Rev. Mr. Wagoner ; John W. Daniel recited one of 
Father Ryan's poems, and the Sunday-schools sang a 



270 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

number of hymns, under the direction of K. F. Hen- 
ning. The stone was laid by Worshipful Master John 
R. McDaniel. 

The thoughts of the people were now turned to poli- 
tics; the election for governor was approaching and 
there was much political speaking. Jack Averett and 
another negro named Sam Kelso were haranguing the 
negroes, as was a fellow named Flynn, who was very 
incendiary in his utterances, advising the blacks to 
burn the property of the white people. 

Henry H. Wells, of Michigan, the military governor 
and candidate for re-election, was in Lynchburg, and 
was challenged by Thomas S. Bocock for a dis- 
cussion, but declined. Gilbert C. Walker was the 
other candidate for governor and Robert Ridgeway for 
Congress. June 10, there was a great Conservative 
rally here. Thomas S. Bocock, John Baldwin, of 
Staunton; B. Johnson Barbour, of Orange, and W. 
W. Walker, of Westmoreland, spoke. The excite- 
ment was intense and the people labored hard, feeling 
that nearly everything was at stake. When the polls 
closed, July 6, the Conservatives had won the victory, 
and carpet-bag and scalawag power in Virginia was 
broken. Along with Gilbert C. Walker, Colonel R. 
L. Owen was elected to the Senate, Rufus A. Mur- 
rell, John W. Danel and R. C, Burkholder to the 
House of Delegates. During the canvass the veteran 
baggage-man, John Kinckle, threw out the Walker flag 
and worked for him. The better class of negroes de- 
sired peace and harmony with the whites, and when let 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 271 

alone by the carpet-bag vultures who were seeking office^ 
they got on very well. At a special invitation from 
them, Charles L. Mosby addressed them publicly on 
their present situation, and it was much appreciated. 
The relations were still very new and sometimes pro- 
duced friction. The citizens were very indignant at a 
negro military company that paraded the streets, and 
when Mclve, with his Bible which he could not read, 
and his twelve negro disciples with yellow flags and 
blue lizzards, and torn straw hats with red and white, 
marched up and down delivering their " scources " and 
begging others to join, the police took them in for 
disturbing the peace. Freedom seemed to make some 
of them restive ; the tobacco roll-makers went on a 
strike, claiming two dollars and fifty cents per hundred 
pounds instead of one dollar and fifty cents they were 
now getting. 

Before closing this the most memorable chapter in 
the history of Lynchburg, there are some events that 
may be casually mentioned. July 29, Horace Greeley 
was here and addressed a large crowd in front of the 
Washington House. In August, a new pump was 
erected, the brass on which was from two cannons pre- 
sented to the State by General Lafayette. The college, 
which liad been greatly damaged by being used as a 
hospital, and especially by the squatters, was sold for 
two thousand, nine hundred and fifteen dollars, having 
cost about sixty thousand dollars. The bell Grace 
church got, and now uses. Two prominent citizens 
died, Absalom Williams, August 4, and Dr. Wyatt W. 



272 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Hamner, one of Lynchburg's leading physicians, the 
18th. Hardin Kucker sold at Friend's warehouse a 
lot of tobacco raised in Bedford for three thousand, one 
hundred and fifty dollars per hundred pounds, the 
highest ever paid for tobacco in Lynchburg. The 
Mechanics' Library Association, with W. J. Folkes 
president, and John A. Humphries vice-president, was 
organized. The dreadful financial crisis September 23, 
known as " Black Friday," did much harm to the busi- 
ness of the place. Rev. H. Sutcr resigned as rector 
of St. Paul's church, and preached his farewell sermon 
September 26. Rev. Michael Ferran, rector of the 
Catholic church, was found dead in his bed October 7. 
Rev. J. J. McGurk came to officiate at his funeral and 
remained as the rector of the church. The First and 
Second Presbyterian churches voted to consolidate, but 
on October 11 it was reconsidered and defeated, the 
First church voting twenty-five for and twenty-eight 
against consolidation, and the Second twelve for and 
twenty-two against. Jackson Street Methodist church, 
colored, was dedicated October 17, Rev. J. Brown of 
Baltimore, preaching the sermon. Elisha Snead, an- 
other useful and valuable citizen, died October 11. The 
Agricultural and Mechanical Society had been organ- 
ized, and with tlie twenty-five hundred dollars given 
by the council, had erected buildings and fitted up 
Miller Park as a fair ground. The first fair was opened 
October 20 with prayer by Rev. C. C. Bitting, of the 
Baptist church. The drouth was terrible, yet the at- 
tendance was good. A public meeting was called at 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 273 

Holcombe Hall to inaugurate a movement to build a 
railroad from Lynchburg to Covington, Kentucky. 
December 5, Paulett's Tavern, corner Twelfth and Polk 
streets, a famous place for wagoners, was burned down. 
Three sad affairs closed this mournful decade. 
Samuel Jones, son of Charles T. Jones, accidently 
killed himself with a pistol, November 16 ; Colonel 
"William B. Brown, an old and honorable citizen, was 
accidently shot through the leg in Fisher's store, and 
died December 3 ; and, on the 23d, a crowd of drunken 
and disorderly soldiers shot and killed William Baley, 
of Campbell, while he was walking along the street 
here. Great excitement was created, and if the mur- 
derers had been caught, Lynchburg would have expe- 
rienced what it has never experienced — a lynching. 



CHAPTER X. 

Reconstruction and hard times rested upon the 
place like the pall of death ; everywhere was the depress- 
ing influence felt, but still there was hope, for the ques- 
tion of readmission was being discussed in Congress. 
The Senate, after amendment, passed the House bill, and, 
January 24, 1870, Virginia was readmitted into the 
Union. Richmond celebrated the event, but Lynchburg 
took it quietly, not being especially thankful, except that 
reconstruction, with its horrors and hardships, had passed 
away. There was much joy, however, at the inauguration 
of Gilbert C. Walker, the first governor elected by the 
people since the war closed. 

Some changes had taken place in the churches. Rev. 
T. M. Carson, the new rector of St. Paul's, preached 
his first sermon here January 2. On the 29th Rev. 
E. H. Barnett, assistant pastor of the First Presby- 
terian church, resigned, and April 25 Dr. J. B. Ram- 
sey, the venerable pastor, also resigned. 

Lynchburg, with all Virginia, was again called to 
mourning. In Richmond there had been a municipal 
war. George Chahoun, the mayor, appointed during 
the period of reconstruction, refused to surrender to 
H. K. Ellyson, the mayor elected by the people. The 
situation was threatening, and at one time it was feared 
that there would be bloodshed, but better judgment 
prevailed, and it was carried into the civil courts. The 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 275 

Court of Appeals was to render its decision in the case 
April 27, and the court-room in the capitol was packed 
with people who had come to hear it. At about eleven 
o'clock in the morning, just as the judges were coming 
in, the gallery fell with a crash, and then the floor w^ith 
its heavy burden went down. As many as were able 
rushed out and gaS-e the alarm. The gallery and the 
floor had caught hundreds of citizens beneath the 
wreck. The scene was awful; within the dust was 
almost stifling, and the shrieks and groans of the 
wounded were heartrending. The square without was 
soon filled with anxious people, many weeping and 
calling for loved ones who were known to be in the 
ruins, and when one of- the killed or wounded was borne 
out upon a cot it was the occasion for fresh outbursts 
of sorrow. This was one of the worst accidents that 
had happened since the burning of the theatre near the 
same spot. Sixty or seventy were killed, and more 
than a hundred wounded. Honorable Thomas S. Bo- 
cock, of this city, was severely wounded, and Major 
John W. Daniel slightly. Major Daniel was sitting 
on the end of a long table, near the bench, with J. A . Mc- 
Call and G. T. Green. When the crash came he slapped 
McCall on the knee and said, " Sit still." They did 
sit still, and the table and all its contents was plunged 
into the vortex, leaving them clinging to the rounds of 
the judges' bench. This saved their lives. The citi- 
zens wanted to express their sympathy for the bereaved 
and the suifering, so a meeting was called at Friends' 
warehouse the next day after the calamity, Judge James 



276 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Garland chairman. Several appropriate addresses were 
made, and resolutions were passed expressing the pro- 
found sorrow of the people of Lynchburg. The Gov- 
ei'nor appointed May 4 as the day of humiliation and 
prayer, in view of the terrible disaster, but the city did 
not observe that day, preferring to unite the day of 
mourning and memorial day, and celebrate both to- 
gether. Special signifinance, therefore, was given to 
the 10th. The papers were in mourning, business houses 
closed, and many citizens were in line to do honor to 
the occasion. 

There was not much, at this time, to speak of that 
was of an encouraging nature, unless it was the moving 
of the officers appointed by the military commander. 
May 12 Major J. Garland was elected judge of the 
Hustings Court, and on July 1, James M. Cobbs was 
installed as mayor, A. Christian commonwealth's attor- 
ney, Samuel D. Preston clerk of the court, and Suprey 
C. Woodroof police sergeant. In June the Virginia 
and Tennessee and Southside roads were consolidated, 
and called the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio road. 
Dr. W. E. Munsey was here July 15, and delivered 
his profound lecture on " Man," at Centenary church, 
and on the 21st his wonderful lecture on Elijah. These 
were the greatest lectures ever heard in Lynchburg, 
and were unsurpassed for vividness of description. 
When speaking of the angels coming for Elijah the 
speaker pointed to the window and said, " Don't you 
see them," and many turned their heads as if they really 
expected to see the heavenly hosts. A sad occurrence 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 277 

was that which took place July 20, when Major E. C. 
Eandolph was killed in his office near Church and 
Eleventh streets in a rencontre with J. and L. Wim- 
bush. There had also been several deaths of promi- 
nent citizens. Samuel Harman, one of the leading mer- 
chants, died January 21 ; Patrick Matthews, a very 
wealthy man, July 1, and Captain George Woodville 
Latham, a well-know lawyer, August 15. 

Little attention was paid to the local news now, on 
account of the great interest in two outside subjects. 
One was the trial and execution of a young man named 
Jeter Phillips, in Richmond, who murdered his wife, 
Emily Pitts, at Drinkard's farm, near that city. After 
a long trial he was convicted and hanged July 22. 
The evidence was mostly circumstantial, and many feel- 
ing that he was innocent, appealed to the governor to 
pardon him, but he refused. All doubt as to his guilt, 
was, however, allayed by his full confession before the 
execution. The other absorbing topic was the Franco- 
Prussian war. Though foreign, this was of special in- 
terest since our own experience in warfare. 

The recollection of the great dog trouble, when the 
town became a city, was still fresh in the minds of the 
people, and now another was threatened. The whole 
city was stirred, and trouble was imminent. An ordi- 
nance had been passed taxing dogs, and requiring that 
all without tags be caught in a net and put in pound 
at the old market house. A great many dogs, whose 
owners had been careless about paying the tax, were 
caught and held a short while, and if not claimed were 



278 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

killed. The killing took place on the street, and was 
by choking or stamping them to death. Even the most 
hard-hearted could not endure this, and soon a storm of 
indignation was raised. The people said it was bad 
enough to kill the poor dogs, but if they must be killed, 
they must be killed decently. Further trouble was 
prevented by the Council requiring that the unclaimed 
dogs be carried outside of the city and shot. 

This seemed to be the season for fixing up the 
churches. Court Street, under Rev. R. N. Sledd, was 
repaired at a cost of four thousand dollars ; St. Paul's, 
under Rev. T. M. Carson, spent about five thousand in 
repairs, and Rev. G. W. Langhorne, the pastor of Cen- 
tenary, began to improve his church. To help pay for 
this work the ladies held feasts, usually at Dudley 
Hall, and such feasts they were ! Many will remem- 
ber the fine dinners and the evenings of pleasure that 
were enjoyed, as well as the turning of their pockets 
wrong side out to leave with the girls, who helped in the 
good cause, what change they had with them. 

One of the largest fires in the history of Lynchburg 
took place September 2. Some one set fire to a frame 
house on Twelfth street, and it soon spread until several 
tobacco factories. Brown's Seminary, the largest building 
in the city but one, and several other houses were burned 
down. Owing to the long drought water was scarce, 
and at one time it looked as if the whole city was 
doomed. The volunteer fire companies did valiant 
service, and after some hours the fire was gotten under 
control. 



LY^iCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 279 

The drought which had prevailed nearly all summer 
continued, without any sign of relief, until Wednesday 
evening, September 28, when it began to rain. The 
people were glad to welcome rain, though it seeined as if 
all the rains of the summer were united in one. It poured 
down in torrents, and continued all night and all day and 
all night Thursday. Two dams above the city broke 
and the river began to rise rapidly. At nine o'clock 
Thursday night the water was twenty-two feet high 
and was rising at the rate of an inch a minute. At 
ten o'clock the gas pipe across Black water creek was 
swept away, leaving the city in darkness. Later, the first 
lock was washed away and the river began to flow into 
the canal. Attempts were made to secure the freight 
and packet boats, but few were saved. The water con- 
tinued to rise, and soon the first floor of the Piedmont 
House and the Orange House were submerged, and the 
women and children had to be taken out in their night 
clothes and sent up town to a place of safety. At half 
after ten the toll-bridge was carried away. The packet 
bell began to ring for relief, the courthouse bell sounded 
an alarm, and large crowds, almost wild with excite- 
ment, rushed to the river's bank to render what assist- 
ance was in their power. 

At twelve o'clock the water was still rising, and few 
could tell what was the extent of damage. The city 
on the hills above, shrouded in dense darkness, looked 
like a great spectre, while beneath, the hell of waters, 
howling, hissing and boiling in torture, were tearing to 
pieces all that came within their ruinous grasp. Trees, 



280 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

boats, barns, houses, and other things, swept quickly by. 
Once or twice the watchers heard a scream for help com- 
ing from some object in the mad river's clutches ; but 
in that dark, drenching rain what could they do but pity 
and pray ? It seemed as if the dreadful night would 
never end ; that the morning was ashamed to look upon 
the horrible havoc wrought during the wretched night. 
At last the light began to break in the east, and the 
rain ceased. The view made the heart sick ; ruin 
met the gaze on every side ; the Orange bridge, the toll 
bridge, the bridges of the A. M. & O. railroad, shops and 
buildings near the river, boats and dwellings had been 
swept away, and the canal seemed to be ruined. Major 
E. A. Goodwyn was caught on the Southside Island, 
and spent a night of terror. He knew the water was 
rapidly rising, and expected the house he was in to be 
washed away, for every moment he could hear the crash 
of timbers and trees against the building. Many others 
were caught in trees and on houses where they had gone 
for safety, and had to stay there until rescued the next 
day. Ten were drowned, among whom were Mrs. 
Ransome and her daughter and Willie Whitlow. Mrs. 
Ramsome and child left their home, threatened by the 
waters, and took refuge in a bridge below the city. The 
attention of two boatmen was attracted by a child's 
voice, and they turned in that direction. As they were 
striving to reach them they heard the child pleading 
with its mother, saying, " Don't cry ; the storm will 
soon be over ; God can see us, and if we are drowned 
He will know where to find us." Later they heard 



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LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 281 

the little voice say : " Kiss me, mother ; I can hold out 
no longer," and the bridge went down with its precious 
burden. Next day, when the husband returned, he 
wildly wandered up and down the river, calling for his 
loved ones. Mrs. C. J. M. Jordan has told the story 
so touchingly in verse that I venture to quote it : 

Out in all that storm and darkness, lashed by tempest fury wild, 
On a bridge that spanned the river, stood a mother and her child. 
There in mute, awe-stricken terror, as the tide about them swept, 
All unmarked by any other save the Eye that never slept — 
Stood they clinging to each other, helpless, homeless and alone, 
Mute — until the mother's sobbing woke the child's assuring tone. 
When in accents, low and plaintive, like a harp string softly stirred, 
Spake the little voice, appealing, sweet as evening song of bird: 
" Don't cry, mother ; 'twill be over by and by. I see a spark 
Of light now coming towards us; God can see us in the dark." 
And the mother's heart took courage, and she pressed the little hand 
With a closer, firmer pressure, as she peered towards the land. 
But, alas! the darkness veiled it from her eager, anxious sight; 
And the rushing swell of waters quenched the near approach of light. 
Lone and helpless — faint with terror, dumb with agony untold — 
The feeble woman bowed her head; the child unloosed its hold. 
"Good-bye, mother; I am going, for my limbs are cold and bare, 
But I know if we are drowning God can find out where we are." 
And as out that child-voice floated, on the stormy night-wind borne, 
Dashing waves and roaring torrents mingling with its angel tone, 
Suddenly there swept a current, tossing high its foaming crown, 
And the bridge that arched the river with its precious freight went 

down ! 
Down alas ! the child and mother, all unmarked by human eye. 
As the waters' angry gurgle swallowed up their dying cry. 
And from noble lips that struggled for their rescue, temptest-tossed, 
Rose the cry aloud to Heaven, through the midnight shadows, 

"Lost!" 
"Lost" indeed were they to danger; "lost " to terror and alarm. 
While around their trustful spirits stretched the Everlasting' Arm." 



282 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

In March of this year there had been a freshet, but 
it was as nothing compared with this one ; in fact, this 
was the most destructive ever known, not excepting 
those of May 1771 and 1847. The water rose twenty- 
six feet, and many large houses and shops were lifted 
up and carried away as if they had been drift-wood. 
The damage to property in Lynchburg amounted to a 
million dollars, and besides this great loss hundreds 
were thrown out of work, the city was without light or 
water, and all travel and transportation was stopped, 
for there was not a bridge over the river that escaped 
destruction. 

A public meeting was called to help the flood suf- 
ferers, and a large amount of money was raised, all of 
which was needed and more besides. Many outsiders 
sent help, and among them was General N. M. Curtis, 
who sent his check for fifty dollars. A relief commit- 
tee was organized, with P. D. Christian chairman, and 
Samuel Tyree treasurer, and the people went to work 
heroically to provide for the destitute. 

It seemed as if troubles would never end. News 
had already been received that General Lee had been 
paralyzed, and now came the distressing announcement 
that the great' hero and noble Christian was no more ; 
that he .had died of congestion of the brain, at his 
home in Lexington, at 9:30 a. m., October 12, 1870, 
in the sixty-fourth year of his age. The funeral was 
appointed for Saturday, the 15th, and on that day Vir- 
ginia and all the South put on mourning and lamented 
their loss. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 283 

James M. Cobbs, the mayor, called the citizens to- 
gether in a meeting at Dudley Hall Friday evening to 
arrange for a public demonstration in honor of the dead 
chieftain, and to give expression to the high estimate in 
which Lynchburg held him. The committee appointed 
to report suitable resolutions and to arrange for the 
demonstration was : R. G. H. Kean, Judge James 
Garland, Wm. T. Yancey, John W. Daniel, H. H. 
Lewis, Alexander McDonald and E. P. Goggin. I 
quote in full the preamble and resolutions, in order that 
coming generations may know what the people of the 
same time, who had been associated with General Lee 
and who knew him well, thought of him. 

Whereas, It is becoming when a great and good man dies that 
his fellow-citizens, upon whom he has conferred benefits by his public 
service and reflected honor by his abilities and nobleness of charac- 
ter, should mark the event in an especial manner; and 

Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, on Wednesday, the 12th 
inst., to remove from his earthly career of usefulness and fame the 
soul of General Kobert Edward Lee ; and 

^ Whereas, We, the people of Lynchburg, desire to give expres- 
sion to our sense of the public loss sustained by the world, and espe- 
cially by the State of Virginia, in the death of her great son, in 
whom^ we recognize not only the intellectual gifts which make men 
illustrious, the graces of character whicJi make them admirable, and 
the deeds which make them famous, but the sublime virtues which 
make them truly great, and whose unique character, full-orbed and 
complete, whose simple grandeur, stainless purity, unselfisli devotion 
to duty, patience, fortitude, energy, truth, steadfastness, wisdom, and, 
crowning all, earnest faith in God, gives dignity to human nature and 
sheds lustre through all the after ages upon the country which gave 
him birth ; therefore, 

Resolved 1. That in the death of General Kobert Edward Lee we 
recognize the hand of God, and bow ourselves before Him with 
humility, submission and awe. 



284 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

2. That in the death of General Lee the State of Virginia has 
lost a son and a citizen — one of the foremost among the characters 
who have adorned her annals — and has suffered a calamity only miti- 
gated by the rich heritage he has left her people, in his memory and 
example. 

3. That we all acknowledge in this event a personal sorrow as well 
as a public loss, and in token of both the places of business in this 
city will be closed to-morrow, Saturday, 15th, at which time the bells 
of the city will be tolled, and the clergy of the city are requested to 
hold appropriate religious exercises in all the places of public worship 
at eleven o'clock, and upon which the citizens will attend. 

4. That the people of this city tender the family of the departed 
hero the deep and true sympathy of hearts deeply troubled with feel- 
ings of individual bereavement. 

5. That the foregoing be published in the newspapers, and a copy 
be forwarded by his Honor the Mayor to the widow of General 
Lee." 

Arrangements were made for another public meeting, 
at which time an oration upon the life and character of 
General Lee would be delivered. 

On the day of the funeral the bells tolled, business 
was suspended, services were held in the churches, the 
public buildings and many private houses were draped 
in mourning, and all the newspapers put on their funeral 
dress. Never in the history of Lynchburg was such 
universal sorrow expressed on account of the death of 
any man as on this occasion. 

The severe and continued losses which Lynchburg 
had experienced would have caused many another place 
to sit quietly in the shadow of despair, but not so with 
it ; there seemed to be a hardihood born of its rough 
situation that nothing short of annihilation could de- 
stroy. The waters had scarcely assuaged before prepa- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 285 

ration was being made for the second exhibit of the 
Lynchburg Agricultural Fair. It was held October 
25, and the city was crowded with visitors. Colonel 
William Preston Johnson and ex-Governor William 
Smith were present and made addresses. At night the 
Conservative party held a great rally at Dudley Hall, 
and these distinguished men spoke on the political 
situation. 

Another occasion of interest was the meeting of the 
Virginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, at Court Street church, November 10. Bishop 
George F. Pierce presided, and a large number of 
preachers and laymen were in attendance. The assign- 
ment of preachers for Lynchburg this year was : Rev. 
W. E, Edwards, Centenary ; Rev. E,. N. Sledd, Court 
Street, and Rev. H. B. Cowles, presiding elder. The 
Presbyterian churches also had new pastors; Rev. Richard 
Mcllwaine being installed at the First church, Decem- 
ber 1, and Rev. T. W. Hooper at the Second church the 
next day. 

December 2 was appointed as the time for the ora- 
tion on General Lee, and Professor James P. Holcombe 
was invited to deliver it. When the day arrived a 
lar^-e audience assembled at Centenary church and 
listened to the splendid speech. The people felt that 
the great subject had been well handled, and they re- 
ceived the oration with much satisfaction. 

The city was growing, and the Legislature passed a 
bill, December 9, extending the corporate limits, taking 
in a portion of Diamond, Franklin, College and Daniel's 



286 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Hills. Several years afterward the property-owners on 
Daniel's Hill appointed a committee to name and locate 
the streets, and the Council adopted their plan Septem- 
ber, 1875. The population of Lynchburg in 1870, after 
the extention, was ascertained to be : Whites, sixty- 
eight hundred and twenty five ; blacks, fifty-one hun- 
dred and ninety-five. Total, twelve thousand and 
twenty. 

Two noted citizens had died within the last few 
months. October 22 George Bibb, well know here, 
fell over the wall at the foot of Seventh street and killed 
himself, and November 25 Albon McDaniel, an old 
and honored citizen, died. 

As the new year opened the people began to turn 
their attention to amusements, and following that to 
church matters. The celebrated actor, Edwin Forrest, 
held the boards at Holcombe Hall three nights, taking 
the parts of Richelieu, Virginivis, and King Lear. 
Lynchburg showed its appreciation of him by the large 
crowds that attended. He had just left the city when 
two revival meetings began, one at the Baptist church, 
under Rev. A. E. Dickinson, which lasted several weeks, 
and one at Court Street, under Rev. Leonidas Rosser, 
which continued for more than a month. During this 
time there were nearly two hundred conversions, and 
among them some of the most prominent business men 
in the city, whose example in uniting with the church 
exerted a most salutary influence. 

The question of public schools had been started here in 
October, and a board of education consisting of the 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 287 

following members was appointed : Lynch Ward, Rev. 
C. C. Bitting, John B. Winfree, and J. N. Gordon ; 
Henry Ward, Professor C. L. C. Minor, Dr. Robert S. 
Payne and A. B. Rucker. The board went to work 
and made plans for opening the school, and appointed 
A. F. Biggers, Rev. T. H. Early and Rev. C. C. Bit- 
ting to appear before the Council and ask for four school- 
houses costing twenty thousand apiece. Their request 
Avas partially granted, and February 1, twenty thou- 
sand dollars was appropriated for the four buildings, 
and a committee on schools appointed. Arrangements 
were made to open the schools in early spring, and 
Wednesday, April 5, 1871, the public free schools 
were opened in Lynchburg. There were separate 
schools for the boys and girls, the Protestants and Cath- 
olics, and of course for the white and black. The 
location of the schools and the teachers in charge of 
them were : 

No. 1. Girls' school, Odd Fellow's Hall, Miss K. Nowlin, prin- 
cipal ; Miss Mary T. Doniphan, assistant. 

No. 2. Boys' school, Diamond Hill, W. G. Waller and E. C. 
Glass, teachers. 

No. 3. Boys' school, Harrison and Twelfth streets, M. E. Shad- 
dock, teacher. 

No. 4. Boys and girls. Catholic school, Thornton Triplett, prin- 
cipal ; Miss M. Cornelia Wrenn, assistant. 

No. 5. Girls, Court, between Sixth and Seventh streets. Miss M. 
S. Davis and Miss Mary A. Boiling, teachers. 

No. 6. Colored, Second and Jackson streets, J. A. Griffin, teacher. 

No. 7. Colored, Polk, between Ninth and Tenth streets, Amos 
Botsford, principal ; Jacob Yoder, Miss E. A. Stephens, Mrs. Lucy 
Otey and Mrs. \V. C. Fowler, assistants. 

No. 8. Franklin Hill, Miss Fannie Harvey. 

No. 9. Mrs. S. M. Boiling, principal. 



288 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

At first some were opposed to the schools, especially 
when it was known that all would be taxed for their 
support, and so the attendance was small ; but this was 
the begining of what is now one of the best systems of 
public schools in the State. 

A great deal of interest now was created by a propo- 
sition that was laid before the people ; columns in the 
newspapers were devoted to it, and on every street 
corner you would see a group of men discussing it. 
The city was asked to raise its subscription of $60,000 
to the Lynchburg and Danville road to |200,000. 
The election was held February 15, and resulted in a 
vote of 1610 to 169 in favor of the increase. Threats 
were made of suing out an injunction to prevent the 
city from giving the bonds, but nothing was done, and 
Lynchburg helped another road that was one day to 
pass it by as a mere station. 

Encouraged by what had already been done, a move- 
ment was made for another road, and in March a 
charter was secured for the Lynchburg and North 
Carolina road, the incorporators being T. C. S. Ferguson, 
C. W. Statham, George M. Eucker, J. T. Davis, Seth 
Halsey and R. C. Burkholder. A few months later a 
road was proposed to Clifton Forge. Neither of these 
efforts amounted to much, except to direct the attention 
of the people to the proposed routes. 

Two organizations which had gone down since the 
war were now revived. The Young Men's Christian 
Association was reorganized in March, with Rev. T. W. 
Hooper president, and John E. Christian and C. L. C. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 289 

Minor vice-presidents. A meeting was called April 23 
to reorganize the Home Guard, and many of the old 
members attended. The organization was perfected on 
the 27th, with J. Holmes Smith captain and W. H. H. 
Hopkins first lieutenant. An effort was made to change 
the name to the Garland Guards, but it was unsuc- 
cessful, and the Home Guard continued its organization 
for another war. 

There were several important events that deserve a 
passing notice. The city bought a steam fire engine, 
the "Madison Cobbs," which proved a great success 
and was a great relief to the firemen, who had to pump 
the old hand machine. Ex-President Jefferson Davis 
and his wife were in the city a short while, and, though 
coming unexpectedly, much attention was shown them. 
A pleasant occasion was when the ladies of the Meth- 
odist Protestant church presented General Jubal Early 
with a gold-headed cane, upon which was inscribed, 
" The Defender of the Mothers and the Protector of 
the Daughters of Lynchburg." The city was much 
excited over the theft of a large amount of money by a 
citizen in whom the greatest confidence was imposed. He 
made good his escape and never returned. There was 
another freshet May 16, and the Orange and Alexan- 
dria Railroad bridge and the bridge on the Southside 
road were swept away, but besides this there was not a 
great deal of damage done. There were some changes 
in the pastors of the churches. Rev. W. H. Williams 
took charge of Grace Memorial, so called on account of 
a memorial window to Rev. W. H. Kinckle ; Rev. C. 



290 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

C. Bitting resigned his pastorate, and Rev. S. L. Green- 
field was appointed to the Methodist Protestant Church. 

The third exhibition of the Agricultural and Mechan- 
ical Society was opened October 17. The big day was 
the 19th, when Governor Gilbert C. Walker made an 
address. There was an immense crowd and all seemed 
to enjoy themselves, but the day had a sad ending. 
When a vehicle returning from the Fair Grounds 
reached Fifth street the harness broke, and as soon as 
the cowardly driver saw the horses beginning to run 
he dropped the lines and jumped out, leaving the pas- 
sengers to the mercy of two runaway horses. Seeing 
the situation, they jumped too, and all escaped serious 
injury except one, Dr. Socrates Maupin, the distin- 
guished professor of chemistry at the University. He 
was badly injured, and was carried to the home of John 
R. McDaniel, corner of Fifth and Jackson streets, 
where he was attended by Dr. Davis, of the University, 
and Dr. Cunningham, of the Richmond Medical Col- 
lege, but died that night about eleven o'clock. His 
sad death was a great shock to Lynchburg and to all 
who knew him. The remains were carried to Charlottes- 
ville for interment. Dr. Maupin witnessed the laying 
of the corner-stone of the University, and was one of 
the first to receive from her the degree of M. A., and 
for more than thirty years he had been a professor in 
his alma mater. 

This same month the Presbyterian Synod of Virginia 
met here and many attended it. 

During the year several prominent citizens passed 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 291 

away. February 2, the remains of Rev. T. C. Jen- 
nings, who was once pastor of the Methodist Protestant 
church, were interred in Spring Hill cemetery; and on 
the 17th William M. Black died. In his death the 
city lost a useful citizen and a Christian gentleman. 
July 23, Rev. J. B. Ramsey, D. D., died. He was 
pastor of the First Presbyterian church from 1858 to a 
short time before he died, and he and his wife taught 
school for some time at his home, next to the church. 
He was a consecrated and devoted man. His funeral, 
participated in by all the ministers of the city, took 
place the next day from the church he had faithfully 
served. On September 21, Captain "W. W. Norvell, 
another old and well-known citizen, died. 

The new year 1872 was ushered in by the Meth- 
odists in their watch-night services at Centenary church, 
Dr. R. N. Sledd preaching the sermon. The first 
important event was the public meeting at Holcombe 
hall. The object of the meeting was threefold — to get 
the proposed new lunatic asylum here (not for home 
use, but on account of the revenue) ; to invite the 
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad officials to inspect James 
river valley for a railroad, and to undertake to get a 
United States building here. After the usual speeches, 
committees were appointed, resolutions passed, and the 
meeting adjourned. 

Lynchburg was in a prosperous condition and was 
rapidly growing. Money was so plentiful in the banks 
that a man found difficulty placing ten thousand dollars 
on call, and the Banking and Insurance Company 



292 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

declared a semi-annual dividend of seventeen and one- 
half per cent. The wholesale trade was rapidly 
increasing, and the outlook was encouraging. 

The winter was very cold and the river was frozen so 
thick that a two-horse wagon could go over the ice. 
Notwithstanding the cold, the Lynchburg high school 
was opened in February, T. C. Miller teaching the boys 
and John W. Wyatt the girls. It was about this time 
that the negro Blind Tom, the celebrated pianist, 
played at Holcombe Hall. He was indeed a prodigy — 
never having taken a music lesson, and yet able to play 
any piece played in his hearing. 

In May the political cauldron began to boil, and 
Jack Averett, who " would not sell his birthright for a 
mess of partridges," and Zack Cousins were the political 
geniuses among the negroes. The great fear the people 
had was that if they were not careful carpet-bag and 
scalawag rule would be again thrust upon them, and 
there would be mixed police, mixed schools, and other 
hurtful results. There was a new registration, and 
many prominent citizens were before Radical officials, 
charged with violation of the enforcement act. Nothing 
came of it except it served as a species of persecution 
against these men. Municipal politics was the most 
important to the citizens, but national affairs were not 
forgotten. Horace Greeley had been nominated for 
President by the Democrats and General Grant by the 
Republicans, and until the election in November the 
Conservatives were holding rallies, at which speeches 
were made by many leading citizens. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 293 

The government made an improvement in the mail 
service in July by introducing a card upon which a 
message could be sent for one cent — the postal card. 

The Tobacco Association was organized in October, 
T. C. S. Ferguson president, and the same month the 
Orange and Alexandria and the Lynchburg and Dan- 
ville roads were consolidated into the Washington City, 
Virginia Midland and Great Southern road. The 
connecting link, the tunnel under Ninth street, was 
completed in November. 

An attempt was made to hold the annual fair, but 
the downpour of rain prevented it. 

The conference of the Methodist Protestant Church 
met here in November. There were a large number 
of changes in the city churches. Rev. W. H. Mont- 
gomery was pastor of the Baptist church. Rev. W. T. 
Hall of the First Presbyterian, Rev. W. H. Christian 
at Centenary, and Rev. W. E. Judkins at Court street. 

The prominent citizens who died this year were : 
Colonel William M. Shoemaker, February 24 ; Dr. P. 
H. Gilmer, a leading physician, March 10, and on the 
24th Ambrose B. Rucker, one of the most public- 
spirited citizens here, a man of great integrity and 
upright character ; James L. Brown, a tobacconist, 
August 12 ; October 12, A. M. Trible, a lawyer, and 
December 2, James L. Claytor, another tobacconist. 

If the beginning was any indication, 1873 was to be 
one of the successful years in the history of Lynchburg. 
Already about fifty new buildings were going up, and 
within a few months " Fort Snacks," that eyesore on 



294 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Ninth street, was to be torn down to make place for a 
large hotel, the Lynch House. To attract more atten- 
tion to the place, the council sent out a large number 
of pamphlets entitled " Resources and Advantages of 
Lynchburg and the Tributary Country." Besides this 
the four newspapers, the Virginian, Republican, News 
and P7'ess, well advertised the city. The financial 
condition of the city was excellent, and everything 
pointed to a rapid and continued growth, but all pros- 
perity was suddenly and radically checked by an 
unlooked-for occurrence. September 18, Jay Cooke 
& Co., New York, failed, and this precipitated a gen- 
eral crisis. Black Friday, September 23, 1869, was a 
financial crisis, caused by an unsuccessful attempt to 
corner gold ; but this crisis was industrial, and was the 
most general through which the world had ever passed. 
The panic starting in Wall street, soon spread in every 
direction. Virginia suffered greatly; in Petersburg 
four or five banks went under, and several in Rich- 
mond, besides many others in the State. The sound 
financial standing of Lynchburg was shown by the fact 
that not a single bank failed, and up to September 30 
our banks continued to pay in currency. All the other 
banks had discontinued paying in currency, and it was 
feared that a run might be made upon us from the out- 
side ; so, beginning October 1, certified checks were 
given for all amounts over one hundred dollars. This 
proved successful, and, though banks everywhere were 
failing, Lynchburg weathered the storm without a single 
wreck. The effects of the panic were very disastrous ; 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 295 

business came almost to a standstill, men were thrown 
out of work, and there was scarcely money enough to 
buy food and fuel. A number of private firms failed, 
and from the general appearance one would have 
thought that war-times had come again. 

Two events in connection with the churches are 
worthy of our attention. Early in the year the Catholics 
organized the St. Francis Xavier Total Abstinence Bene- 
ficial Society, Patrick McDivitt, president; Patrick 
Doherty, vice-president ; James O'Brien, secretary ; 
Jolm Casey, treasurer ; John Kelly, steward, and Bev. 
J. J. McGurk, spiritual director. The society met every 
third Sunday after late mass, and accomplished a good 
deal for the cause of temperance during the time of its 
organization. The Methodists were growing, and Sun- 
day, September 14, a new church in Madison was ded- 
icated. Bev. W. H. Christian preached the sermon, 
and the church was presented for dedication on behalf 
of the trustees by B. F. Henning, a zealous worker in 
Centenary. From the day of dedication the church 
has been doing a good work. Standing on the high hill 
overlooking the city, with its white steeple pointing 
heavenward, it cannot fail to lift the thoughts, even of 
the careless, to Divine things. 

A great source of amusement to the young people at 
this time were the open-air exhibitions given by the 
rope walkers. Every mouth or two in summer and fall 
a " professor " would come to town and stretch his rope 
across Main street from the tops of the houses, and begin 
his performance. When the crowd had assembled to 



296 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

witness his wonderful feats, lie would descend, take up 
a hat collection, and if it were good, continue his ex- 
hibition a while longer. These were gala days for the 
boys and the " little niggers," and to them the rope- 
walker was bigger than the President. 

The Old Market, much-abused friend of the days 
gone by, was now, like the men who built it and many 
who abused it, about to enter that immutable realm of 
the past. After much discussion as to the site for the new 
market-house, the Council, December 22, '71, purchased 
a lot on Main street, near Twelfth, for seventeen thou- 
sand, four hundred and forty dollars. Later, twenty- 
two thousand dollars was voted for grading the lot and 
for building. The building, which was according to the 
plans of Colonel A. Forsberg, was this year completed 
by W. B. Snead, and the stalls rented November 24. 
A few days prior to this the " old shanty " was sold 
to Captain Boiling on condition that it be torn down 
immediately. When the work of destruction began it 
was a great frolic for the boys, who amused themselves 
searching in the debris for lost coins and killing the old 
gray rats as they ran out from their hiding places. To 
the old citizens there was a feeling of sadness at seeing 
the old structure pass away ; they recalled the friends 
they had seen there busy looking after the day's meal, 
the occurrences that had taken place, the animated dis- 
cussions on town topics, and, above all, the movements 
for secession that were made here. But these belong 
rather to the sentimental of life, and progress takes little 
heed of sentiment. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 297 

The day the New Market was opened, Lynchburg 
lost a talented citizen, F. J. Fisher, who had then made 
a reputation as an artist. Since his first oil painting, 
" The Hyena Club," he had perfected himself in Ger- 
many. His studio, with all his pictures, was burned in 
G. D. Davis' building, November 5, 1868, and now he 
was leaving for Richmond, his future home. 

Many of the leading citizens passed away this year. 
While attending Nelson Court, Judge William Daniel, 
father of Major John W. Daniel, died, March 29. 
Judge Daniel twice represented the town in the legis- 
lature, and was a member of the Court of Appeals until 
removed by the action of the Alexandria Convention. 
He was a man of marked ability and was among the first 
jurists of the State. His great legal acquirements and 
the soundess of his judicial opinions gave his decisions 
a place with the foremost in the records of Virginia. 
His funeral was conducted by the Rev. H. Suter from 
St. Paul's church, and the bar of the city attended in a 
body. 

Colonel Robert L. Owen, another prominent citizen, 
and for some time president of the Virginia and Ten- 
nessee road, died June 4 in Norfolk. His remains 
were brought here for interment. Then followed the 
death of the venerable Judge Daniel A. Wilson, July 
17. Judge Wilson was in his eighty-fourth year, and 
had long been a leading citizen of Lynchburg, having 
come here in 1840 to succeed the elder Judge William 
Daniel of the Circuit Court. He was a strong man, 
cheerful and amiable, and was a devoted member of 



298 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the First Presbyterian church. His funeral was con- 
ducted by the pastor, Rev. W. T. Hall, and the bar, 
with many other sorrowing friends, followed him to 
his last resting place in the Presbyterian cemetery. 

David W. Burton, a wealthy tobacconist, died Sep- 
tember 6, and on the 29th John G. Meem died. He 
was a high-minded Virginia gentleman, and for a long 
time was one of the principal business men of the 
place. 

Bishop John Early died at his home on Court street 
November 5. Bishop Early was born January, 1786, 
and came to the city very early in life. Although a 
minister, there are few men who did more towards 
building up Lynchburg than he. Until borne down 
by the infirmity of age, he took part in every public 
movement looking to the betterment of the city. His 
funeral was from Court Street on the 7th, and, although 
it was a cold, raw day, the church was crowded. As a 
mark of respect the schools suspended, the stores, the 
postoffice and other public places were closed ; the bells 
tolled and the church was draped in mourning. Revs. 
H. B. Cowles, R. N. Sledd, W. H. Christian, A. G. 
Brown, W. E. Judkins and James A. Duncan con- 
ducted the funeral services, and the remains were 
interred in Spring Hill cemetery, which he had been 
instrumental in founding. 

The cry of " hard times " heralded 1874, and it was 
no false report, for the times were hard, and the ruin- 
ous eflPects of the panic were still visible in all direc- 
tions. However, the people were hopeful, in spite of 



LyJSCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 299 

all their trouble, for the severity of the sixties had 
tauglit them a lesson that would not soon be forgotten. 

The first events of the new year that come to our 
notice are both sad. Early in the morning, January 
29, Captain Thornton Triplctt was found lying in front 
of St. Paul's church in an unconscious condition. He 
was taken up and carried to the Washington House, 
■where he soon died. His death seemed a mystery, but 
many thought he was murdered, and some suspicion 
pointed to a man in Lynchburg as the murderer, 
although nothing could be proved. Captain Triplett's 
funeral was conducted by Rev. J. J. McGurk from the 
Catholic church. 

Closely following this came the disclosure that a 
young man, a trusted clerk under Captain J. H. Rives 
in the revenue department, had stolen over $36,000. 
He fled, but was captured after about a week, and was 
brought back to the city. When he reached here there 
were a thousand people at the depot to see him, and 
many of the boys jeered at him, much to the mortifica- 
tion of the thoughtful spectators. He was tried and 
convicted, and thus another melancholy lesson of the 
downfall of a bright young man who had entered into 
crooked paths was given as a solemn warning to all 
who would follow in his steps. 

The general conference of the Methodist Protestant 
church met here in May, and following that came an 
event that brought with it trouble. The Freedmen's 
Bank at Richmond collapsed June 30, and of course 
the Lynchburg branch also failed. This was a severe 



300 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

blow to the colored people here, for by hard work and 
the closest economy they had placed on deposit in this 
bank here fifteen thousand dollars, all of which they 
expected to lose. 

The people felt that they had a right to look for 
trouble, for in July another comet appeared, and it 
came this time over a question in regard to the public 
school funds. The Catholics had separate schools for 
all of their faith and they wanted them continued 
under the management of Rev. J. J. McGurk. This 
raised a storm of protests from citizens, who held that 
the State should make no distinction in religious 
denominations. The discussion continued for a long 
time in the newspapers and on the streets, and twice it 
was a question in municipal politics. The decision was 
finally against separate schools, on the ground of reli- 
gious belief, but not before the next year. 

The advantages of Lynchburg as a manufacturing 
centre had long been recognized, and now an eifort was 
made to further utilize them. It is true there had been 
a cotton mill here and it had proved a failure, but that 
was long ago, even before there was a railroad, and 
besides that was no reason why one should not prove a 
success now. There were many who were willing to 
take the risk, so the Chamber of Commerce, after 
endorsing the movement, appointed the following com- 
mittee to solicit subscriptions : Dr. R. S. Payne, Wilson 
P. Bryant, John W. Carroll, R. W. Crenshaw, R. H. 
T. Adams, T. H. Ivey, C. V. Winfree, Max Guggen- 
heimer, Jr., C. M. Blackford, Judge J. G. Haythe, S. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 301 

C. Hurt, James T. Williams, A. G. Hancock and 8. B. 
Ferguson. The committee went to work and soon 
raised a large subscription and secured a charter. 
There was not enough, however, to begin operations, 
and it was proposed that the city subscribe to twenty- 
five thousand dollars of the stock. The prospects were 
bright, and the mill would probably have been built 
but for the failure of Duncan, Sherman & Co., New 
York bankers, which caused another panic in the 
money market. This had the effect of driving capital 
into hiding, and the project was abandoned. 

Special honors were shown to two Lynchburgers of 
long ago. The monument to Captain Thomas A. Hol- 
combe, the great apostle of temperance, had fallen, and 
September 23 was the day appointed for its restoration. 
The occasion was celebrated with a great deal of enthu- 
siasm. A long procession, consisting of the Home 
Guard, Red Men, Sons of Temperance, and Rechabites, 
headed by Lyman's band and commanded by T. C. 
Wray, chief marshal, marched to the Presbyterian cem- 
etery, where Judge Garland made some remarks upon 
temperance, and then introduced Rev. J. H. Patteson, 
who made the address. The other Lynchburger was 
Hon. Allen G. Thurman, of Ohio. He was here Octo- 
ber 20, upon invitation of the citizens, to attend the 
fair. He was born in Lynchburg, in the small house 
on Harrison street near Fifth, and for some years 
worked with his uncle, John Thurman, at the saddle and 
harness trade. Hon. Thomas S. Bocock introduced him, 
and he made an interesting speech, in which he recalled 



302 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

many of the scenes and recollections of old Lynchburg. 
At night the citizens tendered Judge Thurman a ban- 
quet at the Norvell House, and later Lyman's band 
serenaded him. Next day he left, with many memories 
of his boyhood days refreshed. 

Following this there was a time of great rejoicing. 
Hon. J. Randolph Tucker had vigorously pushed his 
canvass for Congress — in fact, when he spoke here, in 
Lynch's warehouse, he made it very warm for his 
opponents — and a short while afterwards the warehouse 
burned down. He won the election, and not only that, 
but there was a conservative victory over the whole 
State. November 9 there was a great celebration in 
honor of the triumph. Nearly every house was illu- 
minated, and there was a long torchlight procession, 
with a large number of transparencies having inscrip- 
tions such as " Our next President, Allen G. Thurman;" 
" Grant is sick ; " " Goodbye, Ben, we got you then ; " 
" Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are, 
we've lost our Ben." Ben Butler had been defeated 
for Congress and this gave as much joy as the Virginia 
victory. After marching through the city the crowd 
halted at a large warehouse and was addressed by Hon. 
Thomas Whitehead, Major John W. Daniel, T. N. 
Williams and General Jubal Early. The result of this 
election inspired the people with great hope. 

This year two well-known citizens died — February 
1, W. W. Asher, and July 29, Dr. H. C. Steptoe. 

The prospect was brighter at the beginning of 1875 
than it had been since the war ; the effects of the panic 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 303 

were passing away and people were working hard to 
recover the losses of the past ten years. 

An interesting occasion was the opening of the 
Miller Orphan Asylum, January 18. The building 
was planned by General John Ellicott and built by 
R. C Burkholder, and was completed several years 
before, but was not opened until this time. The 
officers of the institution were John H. Flood, pres- 
ident ; George D. Davis, vice-president ; James O. 
Williams, secretary and treasurer, and Dr. Granville 
R. Lewis and wife, superintendent and matron. The 
board of directors : Lorenzo Norvell, Judge D. E. 
Spence, W. A. Miller, T. E. Murrell, T. C. S. Fergu- 
son, C. W. Button, J. F. Slaughter, Dr. J. J. Terrell, 
W. A. Strother, J. M. Booker and E. T. Craighill. 
The asylum is doing a magnificent work, and is a noble 
monument to its founder, Samuel Miller. 

The time for the annual celebration of the volunteer 
fire companies had come, and their thirty-ninth ball 
was given at the Norvell House February 1. These 
were times of great enjoyment, and were participated 
in by many leading citizens, who were proud to be 
members of the volimteer companies. The committee 
of arrangements this year was : Jehu Williams, W. L. 
Moorman, T. D. Jennings, James T. AVilliams, John 
D. Holt, William Kinnier, James M. Cobbs, John A. 
Kinnier, W. Q. Spence, R. B. Carr, W. H. Robinson 
and W. T. Crawford. It was these social gatherings, 
with the excitement of an occasional fire, that kept the 
companies together and gave the city an efficient corps 



304 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of firemen without expense, besides the cost of the 
annual celebration. 

The spirit of improvement was everywhere manifest- 
ing itself. The city was still working for the lunatic 
asylum, and March 16 a public meeting was held to 
urge the extension of the James river and Kanawha 
canal to Clifton Forge to connect with the Chesapeake 
and Ohio road. General T. T. Munford was made 
chairman, and after a full discussion resolutions were 
passed endorsing the movement and requesting that 
the work be begun at once. Another improvement 
was the new union depot at the junction of the 
Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio and the Washington 
City, Virginia Midland and Great Southern roads. 
The gauges of these roads were different, and in order 
to transfer the sleepers the trucks had to be changed ; 
to accomplish this without delay a steam car lifter was 
also erected within a few yards of the depot. 

There was much of interest in church affairs. Rev. 
D. L. Greenfield closed four successful years at the 
Methodist Protestant church, and was succeeded by 
Rev. S. T. Graham, and this church and the Baptist 
church were remodeled. The events that wall long be 
remembered in the history of Lynchburg were the two 
revivals begun April 1 — one at Centenary church, under 
Rev. Leonidas Rosser, and the other at the First Pres- 
byterian church, under Rev. C. M. Howard. These 
churches were crowded night after night for nearly 
seven weeks, and it was not unusual to see a large 
number of people waiting at the church doors before 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 305 

dark, so as to get seats. The interest was so great that 
but little was talked of on the streets and in the public 
places but religion. A play was advertised to show at 
Holcombe Hall several nights, but the attendance was 
so small that they had to close after the first night. 
The papers gave columns to reports of the meeting, 
and in one issue thus spoke of them : " Rosser and 
Howard are making things warm and lively. They 
are shaking up the foundations of sin, and are going 
for the sinners with a vim and are hauling them in in 
crowds. They have got the ' old boy ' on the run and 
are following up the advantage sharply." Before the 
meetings closed there were over two hundred profes- 
sions at the First church and over three hundred at 
Centenary, and among these were many of the leading 
citizens of the town. Before these services closed the 
Redemptionist Fathers began a mission at the Catholic 
church, and conducted it several weeks with great 
success. 

There seemed to be some affinity between religion 
and poetry, for ere the place had ceased to attend 
special services, Duval Porter, one of our citizens, 
issued an edition of his poems. His was the poet's 
fate ; the people did not appreciate his gifts, and the 
second edition was not demanded, nor was the first 
exhausted. 

Money matters were the subject of much comment 
also. A clerk in the Lynchburg National Bank was 
sent to the express office with a package containing ten 
thousand dollars. He got a receipt for it, and later 



306 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

took it out and made way with it. This was another 
sad warning to young men, and, from the trouble 
which ensued, the maxim that " honesty is the best 
policy" was strongly emphasized. 

At this time a vexed question in regard to the city's 
finances was settled. The Court of Appeals had 
already decided that the city could pay the small notes 
issued during the war in Confederate money, but the 
question in regard to the bonds issued at the same time 
had not been settled. It had been discussed a great 
deal, and was still before the court. The city oifered 
to compromise by paying one- third of the principal and 
interest, giving new bonds for the amount, payable 
thirty-four years from date, at six per cent. The 
bondholders did not accept this proposition and it was 
referred to a board of arbitration. They decided to 
strike out the interest on the bonds from date of issue 
to July 1, 1876 ; then allow fifty cents on the dollar, 
payable in two, three, four and five years. This was 
accepted and a troublesome question was finally settled. 

It was the early morning of the beautiful summer 
day, July 14 ; the air was laden with the rich perfume 
of flowers ; the city was still wrapped in sleep ; here 
and there you could hear the opening of shutters and 
see the smoke of the newly-started fire curl lazily from 
the kitchen chimney, and only a few were beginning to 
move about the streets. The clock had just struck 
four when the rude alarm of fire startled the slumber- 
ing city. The bell slowly struck three and then 
resumed its monotonous dong, dong, dong ! People 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 307 

looked over the Third AVard and could see no smoke ; 
the volunteer firemen were at their machines, but knew 
not which way to run to find the fire. It soon became 
known that there was no fire, but worse — the City 
Hotel had fallen and caught many under the great pile 
of bricks and timbers. A crowd quickly gathered to 
behold the awful sight ; the wall, five stories high, 
from Main street down Sixth, had fallen, including a 
wing. Fred Hickey, the lessee of the hotel, as soon as 
the crash came, rushed out into the street and called 
the names of the occupants of the rooms that had 
fallen. Willing hands at once went to work to find 
the bodies of the victims of the unfortunate disaster. 
The first found was Thomas E. Harris, a commission 
broker, who was doubled up in a painful position and 
was badly bruised, but not otherwise hurt. Frank 
Strong, colored, was held by broken timbers, but was 
not seriously hurt ; his child, however, was crushed to 
death ; his wife, the cook, had gotten up and was about 
breakfast, and thus escaped. The only one of the 
guests killed was Mrs. Elizabeth S. Brown, sister of 
L. F. Lucado, who was killed instantly. This was sad, 
and was made even more so by the fact that she was 
preparing to leave for the country in a few days. She 
was buried from Centenary church, of which she was a 
consistent member. The death rate would have been 
much larger had it not been that the family of T. E. 
Harris was in the country and Walter and Elvyn 
Biggers were out spending the night with a friend. The 
exact cause of the trouble was not known. The build- 



308 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ing was very old, having been a tavern in the early 
days, then the Union Hotel, and during the war the 
Ladies' Hospital. 

Another disaster soon followed this one. Sunday, 
September 12, the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio ma- 
chine shops were destroyed by fire, with about fifty 
thousand dollars worth of machinery. The fire, how- 
ever, was scarcely over before the work of rebuilding 
was begun. 

Sawney Early, a well-known negro character, was at- 
tracting a good deal of attention. He claimed to be 
the " second Christ," and went about the streets with 
feathers in his hat, red and gilt letters and peculiar 
figures on his coat, and a Bible under his arm. The 
negroes and small boys looked upon the queer charac- 
ter with a feeling of half fear and half veneration. 
Times got hard with Sawney and he decided to appro- 
priate a citizen's cow. He killed the animal and was 
in his house dressing it when the owner called. The 
" prophet " refused to be interrupted, saying that the 
Lord had told him to rise, Sawney, slay and eat. He 
oifered a stout resistance to the men, even threatening 
their lives, whereupon they shot him. The negro was 
badly wounded, but turned it to some account, for when 
he recovered, he presented a new claim to the belief 
of the credulous, declaring that he had been killed and 
raised from the dead. After causing more trouble, 
Sawney Avas landed in the insane asylum. 

The First Presbyterian church was undergoing ex- 
tensive improvements, and October 5, Rev. C. S. Lucas 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 309 

organized at Holcombe Hall the Disciples church. 
About the same time Epiphauy church was begun, and 
also an Episcopal church on Daniel's Hill. Every 
year a number of the old and prominent citizens were 
passing away. January 22, Dr. William Owen died. He 
was eighty-eight years old, having been born in Staun- 
ton in 1788. His parents moved here when he was 
three years old, and his mother taught school in the 
old frame house corner Church and Ninth streets. Dr. 
Owen was a physician here sixty years, and the good 
he did will never be told. He was a faithful friend of 
the poor, and during the epidemic of fever caused by 
the digging of the canal, he averaged eleven hundred 
visits a month to the employees. His kindness and 
gentleness made him like a sunbeam in a sick cham- 
ber. 

Colonel Seth Halsey, a prominent tobacconist, died 
February 8, and on the 18th, David R. Edley, a useful 
citizen, a man of fine attainments, and a leading law- 
yer, died. Charles Henry Lynch, a wealthy and prom- 
inent citizen, and near descendant of John Lynch, 
passed away March 24. Warren Gannaway, another 
old citizen, died July 26, and August 7, Henry L. 
Davis, for many years a teacher here ; December 3, 
Creed T. Wills, cashier of the Lynchburg Insurance 
and Banking Company, died. 

There were not many important events in 1876 to 
notice. A great expectation that many Lynchburgers 
would inherit a large fortune claimed the attention of 
the citizens. It was reported that an estate of one hun- 



310 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

t 

dred and fifty million dollars was in England for the 
heirs of the Jennings family. This stirred the people of 
the United States, and an eifort was made to find all of 
the descendants. It did not take much effort to find 
them, for it turned out that the Jennings family was 
second in number only to the family of Adam and Eve. 
The Lynchburg branch organized, and on March 28, the 
Jennings Estate Association was incorporated. W. 
D. Branch was sent to Augusta, Ga., to represent the 
Lynchburg heirs at the meeting there. Some near 
relatives felt that they were soon to be rich, and that 
all that was necessary would be to prove the relation- 
ship. The fortune has not been secured at this writing, 
but there are still possibilities. 

The News, the Virginian (the Republican and Vir- 
ginian had consolidated), and the Evening Star, a paper 
started in March, had a spirited controversy over the 
" gas monopoly," as they called it. It was claimed that 
the prices were exhorbitant and that they should be re- 
duced. The company made reply and went on in the 
same way it had always gone. 

There was great joy in the hearts of the people when 
a long-banished exile returned. Silver had scarcely 
been seen since the war began, and now it was coming 
again into circulation. An inducement offered by a 
troupe at Holcombe Hall was that silver would be given 
in change. It was gladly received without any mis- 
givings, or any question as to sixteen to one. Two 
other distinguished visitors came here May 3. Dom 
Pedro, Emperor of Brazil, and the Empress. They were 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 311 

here for a short while, but great crowds went to the 
depot to greet them. 

The spring elections came oif May 25, and the entire 
Radical ticket was elected with the exception of Aurelius 
Christian, commonwealth's attorney, and Baxter Harvey, 
high constable. In some unaccountable way the bal- 
lots were stolen from the clerk's office several days after- 
wards. At the next term of the Corporation Court 
the office of commissioner of revenue was contested, 
and Judge Garland set aside the whole election and 
ordered that the present officers hold their positions 
until the regular election of next year. Another legal 
fight of interest to the people of Lynchburg at this 
time was the contest for the appointment of receivers 
for the Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio railroad. It was 
held that General Mahone was mismanaging it. The 
case was finally won, and C. L. Perkins and Henry 
Fink were appointed receivers. 

The Centennial was in progress at Philadelphia, and 
many citizens attended. Two Lynchburgers won 
prizes — John W. Carroll on his " Lone Jack " tobacco r^ 
and L. L. Armistead on his " Occidental " and " High- 
lander." 

Our fair this year was of great interest. General 
Fitzhugh Lee and Hon. J. Randolph Tucker were 
present and made addresses. 

This was the year of the presidential election and the 
people took great interest in it. The Democrats nomi- 
nated Tildcn and Hendricks and the Republicans Hayes 
and Wheeler. A Democratic pole one hundred and fifty 



312 LYNCHBUKG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

feet high was raised at the corner of Main and Tenth 
streets. John W. Daniel, W. T. Yancey and Thomas S. 
Bocock spoke. Several other poles were raised in differ- 
ent parts of the city by both parties. The raising of these 
poles, with the large flags and streamers, was the occa- 
sion for big political rallies. When the election took 
place there was great excitement ; business was sus- 
pended and the men went to work at the polls. Tilden 
and Hendricks were elected, and the people, especially 
of the South, greatly rejoiced ; but this did not last 
long, for a Republican returning board counted them 
out, and on March 2 declared Hayes and Wheeler 
elected. The papers here, as in other places, except 
the Press, which was Republican, denounced the pro- 
ceedings in strong language ; but nothing was done, and 
the people had to submit. 

Some facts in regard to the churches this year are of 
interest. August 7 a new Baptist church, corner of 
Floyd and Eleventh streets, was dedicated by Rev. Dr. 
Bitting, assisted by Rev. B. G. Manard. Rev. A. C. 
Bledsoe was sent to Court street and Rev. H. C. Cheat- 
ham to Centenary. The Rev. J. M. Rawlings was 
called to the Second Presbyterian church, and Rev. S. 
T. Graham, at the Methodist Protestant church, had a 
revival in which there were nearly one hundred pro- 
fessions. 

We pause again to note the yearly record of prom- 
inent deaths. January 6 Captain John B. Tilden died. 
He had been a citizen here a long time and was a man 
of great kindness and liberality. During the war he 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 313 

•was appointed agent in the field to look after the sick 
and wounded soldiers from Lynchburg, and well did 
he perform his task. He was a great apostle of tem- 
perance. At one time he was interested in a liquor 
business, and when he was converted, under Thomas 
A. Holcombe, he went at once and broke up the busi- 
ness by pouring the stuff into the streets. The esteem 
in which he was held was shown on the day of the 
funeral. It was one of the most imposing demonstra- 
tions ever witnessed here ; the stores closed from 10:30 
to 2, the bells of the city tolled, and a long procession, 
consisting of Masons, Odd-Fellows, Good Templars, 
Hose Company No. 1, ex-Confederate soldiers and cit- 
izens, followed the remains to the grave. The other 
prominent citizens who died were Christopher Clark, 
January 1 2 ; Alexander Pamplin, the 1 9th ; John H. 
Tyree, February 8 ; Frederick Hildebrand, a teacher 
in the high school, the 20th ; David E. Booker, March 
1, and James Fretwell, one of the old citizens, Novem- 
ber 17. 

Lynchburg has always shown a decided taste for 
good literature, and efforts \vere constantly made to 
improve it. The Garland Literary Club, with a mem- 
bership of over two hundred, did much in this direc- 
tion, and afforded a pleasant entertainment during the 
winter months. Mrs. M. C. Tyree was very successful 
in her literary effort, "Housekeeping in Old Vir- 
gmia." 

There were two pleasant occasions in April, 1877. 
One when General Wade Hampton passed through the 



^^' 



314 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

city on the 5th, the first time since the memorable battle 
of Trevilian's Station, which saved Lynchburg. He was 
met at the depot by a large crowd of citizens, and after 
an introduction by General Jubal A. Early, made an 
appropriate speech, which was warmly received. The 
other was the visit of the Norfolk Blues the 24th. 
The Home Guard and the Light Artillery Blues acted 
as hosts. Major John W. Daniel made an address of 
welcome, and a german was given at the Norvell 
House. The soldiers left well pleased with their visit 
to Lynchburg. The city now was becoming two large 
to be supplied with water by one reservoir, and as 
Samuel Miller had left twenty thousand for a new one 
on College Hill, April 11th the city began work on 
the new reservoir, and also decided to put in a new 
pump. 

May 24, the Disciples church on Church street, was 
dedicated. Rev. L. A. Cutler preached and Rev. C S. 
Lucas was pastor. The same month Rev. W. L. 
Smith was called to succeed Dr. Montgomery at the 
First Baptist church, and later Centenary church was 
greatly improved. The signs of improvement were 
not in the churches alone ; all over the city new build- 
ings were being erected. 

Another social event was that which took place June 
30. The city prided itself on the Tobacco City Boat 
Club, and among others it had a racing crew : Dr. J. 
R. Hill, W. O. Owen, J. S. Marshall, W. H. Dudley 
and J. W. Langhorne. This club challenged the Rives 
Club, of the University, for a race, and on this day the 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 315 

race came off. A great crowd was present, some on 
the train, some in row boats, some in canal boats and 
many afoot. A large number of visitors were here 
from Charlottesville and other places, and party spirit ran 
high. The course was above the Orange bridge near 
Mint Spring. The start was very pretty, as was the 
turn, and when the Lynchburg crew came in first the 
applause was deafening. Following the boat race there 
were tub-races and other amusements that lent much 
interest to the day. 

The Virginia and Tennessee road, which Lynchburg 
had built, caused a great deal of trouble, and now another 
road, a portion of which the city had built, was causing 
trouble. The Virginia Midland road, J. S. Barbour, 
receiver, announced their intention of moving their 
shops from here to Charlottesville. Lynchburg felt great 
resentment, and decided to take steps to prevent it if 
possible. An indignation meeting was held at Martin's 
warehouse, August 6, and a large crowd was present. 
Speeches were made recalling the city's help to the 
road, and denouncing the management for this attempt 
to injure the place. Resolutions were passed asking 
the merchants to divert their freight from this line if 
the shops were moved, and reciting the fact that in the 
charter the city had the right to compel the company 
to draw their cars through the town with horses, if it so 
desired, which might be enforced if the contemplated 
action was taken. The people protested, but in less 
than ten days the shops were removed and the buildings 
torn down. 



316 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

When the time for indignation and fight came, Lynch- 
burg was on the ground, and when the time for hospi- 
tality and good feeling came, the Hill City was not 
wanting. The people believed Samuel J. Tilden elected, 
but as R. B. Hayes had heen seated they looked upon 
him as President, and honored him for his office's sake ; 
so when it was announced that he would pass through 
the city September 24, a special invitation was sent 
him to stop over. The President accepted, and on the 
appointed day a committee of citizens met him at 
Lowry's and escorted him here. When the party 
reached the Union depot they were met by the Home 
Guard, the Artillery with Lyman's band, and a large 
crowd of citizens. A carriage drawn by six horses 
was arranegd for the President. When the Norvell 
House was reached Hon. Thomas S. Bocock made 
an address of welcome, to which Mr. Hayes warmly 
responded. In the afternoon a reception was held, and 
later the Presidential party was driven over the city and 
visited some of the large tobacco factories. At night a 
ball and banquet was given at the Norvell House, and 
Hon. Charles L. Mosby, one of our venerable citi- 
zens, made the address. Next morning the party left 
on the early train, expressing themselves as much 
pleased with their reception in the Democratic town 
of Lynchburg. 

This seemed a year of social events and the like. 
October 9 the annual assembly of the Grand Camp, 
Knights Templars of Virginia, met here, and a few 
weeks later the fair opened with its characteristic rag- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 317 

amuffin parade. November 14 the Virginia confer- 
ence opened at Centenary church, Bishop D. S. Doggett 
in the chair. While the preachers were here it began 
to pour down rain, and on the 23d the river had risen 
rapidly until it was within two and a half feet of the 
high-water mark of the freshet of 1870. Amherst 
bridge and the two Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio 
bridges connecting Percival's island were again washed 
away; the gas house was flooded and the city was in 
darkness ; the water- works were damaged, the Tobacco 
City boat-house and the boats were swept away; the 
canal and much private property was greatly damaged. 
The water covered the tracks of the Virginia Midland 
road on Jefferson street, and the damage was but little 
less than that of seven years ago. The next day, Sat- 
urday, the water began to recede, and after a few more 
days the James was as quiet as a lamb, apparently for- 
getful of the terrible havoc it had wrought. 

The freshet had opened some new questions. The 
canal was so badly damaged that it was proposed to 
abandon it and substitute the James River Valley 
railroad from Clifton Forge to Richmond, with a 
branch to Lexington. Besides other advantages, this 
would give a connection with the Chesapeake and 
Ohio. The matter was discussed a great deal, and 
Lvnchburo; and Richmond finallv decided to contribute 
towards repairing the canal. By the latter part of 
January the canal was opened to Richmond, and later 
to Buchanan. A new bridge had to be erected to 
Amherst, and the proposition was made to have a free 



318 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

bridge. The council decided to give five thousand 
dollars, provided Amherst county gave the same and 
individuals raised another five thousand. The old com- 
pany surrendered all their rights and privileges, and 
in March the contract was let for an iron bridge. 
August 14, 1878, the free bridge was opened, and 
from that day to this it has been bearing the burden of 
traffic to and from the city. 

There were few deaths this past year. Rev. A. 
Doniphan, once pastor here, and agent for the college, 
was buried from Court Street church, February 25. 
George Percival, a much beloved citizen, called by 
many " Uncle George," died May 30. He was a man 
of strong intellect and decided character, a leader 
in the Methodist Protestant church and a patriarch 
in the temperance cause. July 2 Rev. Jacob Mitchell, 
another old pastor, Avas buried from the Second 
Presbyterian church. Rev. J. M. Rawlings conducting 
the service. September 1 Philip D. Christian, an 
honorable and upright man, died suddenly. He 
was a good man, a member of the First Presbyterian 
church. On the 19th J. B. Gaddess died. He was 
long connected with the fire companies, and had marked 
with tombstones the graves of many, and now this 
service was to be performed for him. December 20 
John J. Purvis, another old citizen, passed away. 

Much interest was again being shown in church 
affairs. February, 1878, Rev. A. C. Bledsoe conducted 
a great revival at Court Street church. Despite the 
cold and snow, the basement of the church was crowded 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 319 

and there were more than a hundred professions. Rev. 
Dr. Harrison was also conducting an interesting meet- 
ing at the First Baptist church. Rev. J. H. Williams 
was rector at Grace church, and Dr. L. W. Bates was 
appointed pastor of the Methodist Protestant church. 
Ground had already been broken for a new Catholic 
church, corner Clay and Seventh streets, and on Sun- 
day afternoon, April 28, the corner-stone was laid by 
Rev. Father Jansens, administrator of the diocese, and 
Rev. Fathers McGurk, Riley and Donahue. The 
Protestant Episcopal Council met here May 1 5, Bishop 
Whittle presiding. 

The recollection of the City Hotel disaster was still 
fresh, when another, even more terrific, occurred, only 
two squares from the scene of the first. The large 
three-story building on the eastern corner of Main and 
Eighth streets, being vacant, had been used for a 
picture sale. A few days afterwards. May 28, some 
ladies were there preparing for a church feast. At 
1 o'clock all left for dinner, and about fifteen or 
twenty minutes later the building completely collapsed. 
It seemed almost miraculous that it fell when it did, 
for had it been a half hour earlier, ten or twenty Lynch- 
burg ladies would have been crushed to death ; as it 
was, no one was hurt, 

A pleasant occasion was that of May 31, when the 
Home Guard and the Artillery Blues turned out to 
wdtness a presentation to the latter company and to 
some of its officers. The companies were drawn up in 
front of the courthouse, and Professor W. R. Abbot 



320 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

presented the Blues, on behalf of the ladies, with a 
handsome flag ; Colonel Portlock then presented Cap- 
tain Lee with a beautiful sword, and Dr. H. G. Latham 
presented Sergeant C. H. Lumsden with a silver goblet, 
both of which were on behalf of the men. Later a 
salute of twenty-one guns was fired from the corner of 
Church and Ninth streets. Besides these two compa- 
nies, Lynchburg had a volunteer colored company, the 
Hill City Guards, which acquitted themselves well. 

Several events call for some notice in passing. The 
State regatta was held here June 28, and the University 
crew won. The day passed pleasantly, and there 
would have been nothing to mar it had not some mis- 
creant cut a hole in the University boat. The new 
College Hill reservoir was completed in July, and on 
the 29th there was a total eclipse of the sun. Times 
were hard, but Lynchburg was pressing forward. 
Witt, Watkins & Co. established the first wholesale 
boot and shoe house here August 3. Earnest efforts 
were being made to raise money for the Lee monument 
in Richmond, and also for the yellow fever sufferers in 
Memphis and Vicksburg. August 18, Epiphany 
church was opened by Rev. T. M. Carson and Rev. 
Arthur Grey, and in September there was another 
freshet that greatly damaged the canal. 

The night of October 16 there was another awful 
disaster, caused by the fear of the people being aroused 
on account of a condemned building. A revival meet- 
ing was being carried on at Court Street Baptist church, 
colored. On this night a large crowd of negroes 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 321 

attended to witness the marriage of Jack Averett and 
Mary Rives. The marriage was over, and the preacher, 
Rev. Fielding W. Morris, was about to resume the 
services, when some one gave the alarm that the house 
was falling. A panic immediately ensued and a mad 
rush was made for the windows and doors. The doors 
were jammed and many jumped from the second and 
third-story windows. The fire bell rang and a crowd 
of citizens gathered. Many outside tried to rush in to 
save their friends, and this made the situation so bad 
that a military company had to be called out. It was 
a fearful scene — men and women were trampled under 
foot and crushed to death or severely wounded, and 
many were hurt by jumping from the windows. When 
the church had at last been cleared it was a solemn 
siffht to see the dead and wounded borne off on litters 
or in vehicles and to hear the shrieks and cries of loved 
ones when they recognized their dead. There were ten 
negroes killed and twenty or thirty wounded, and the 
saddest part was that the panic was altogether without 
cause ; there was no sign whatever of the building fall- 
ing at that time. The city was made sad by the horri- 
ble affair, and especially as the dead were borne out one 
by one the next few days. 

Often this year did the tolling of the funeral knell 
call the citizens to mourning. John Clark, a large 
tobacco commission merchant, died February 15. 
John R. McDaniel, one of Lynchburg's most useful 
and intelligent citizens, died in Washington May 15. 
He was born here about seventy years before, and had 



322 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

been closely identified with the history of the town. 
He was one of the most public-spirited men in the 
whole country. He was connected with nearly every 
enterprise here, and when the Virginia and Tennessee 
road was building he pledged his private fortune to 
complete it. Being too old to enter the active service 
during the war, he spent his time in securing supplies 
for the soldiers' families. He was also a prominent 
Mason. After the war he, like many others, lost his 
fortune ; but to him the city owed a debt of gratitude 
that it could not easily pay. On the afternoon of the 
funeral, at the request of the mayor, all business was 
suspended, and one of the largest processions ever seen 
followed the remains to the grave. June 1 2, James M. 
Cobbs, another old citizen, died. He had long been con- 
nected with the city as mayor and fire marshal. Sep- 
tember 6, at the age of eighty, John M. Warwick 
died. He had been a citizen of Lynchburg fifty-five 
years, and during that time had acquired great wealth 
as a tobacconist. He was liberal and public-spirited 
and was an uncompromising Virginia gentleman. An- 
other venerable citizen died October 30 — Peleg Seabury. 
He was a fine example of high courage and true 
Christian manhood. 

There had been a good deal of discussion as to 
whether Holcombe Hall, the old Methodist church, 
could be used for a theatre, and whether the Sons of 
Temperance were not exceeding powers deeded to them 
by the Methodists in so doing. The case was brought 
into court, and January 3, 1879, Judge Garland de- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 323 

cided that it could no longer be used for theatrical 
purposes, but must be confined, by the terms of the 
deed, to use for moral, religious and scientific purposes 
only. Milton Noble in the " Phoenix " was the last play 
there. It was proposed to turn it into a public library, 
but this failed. In the meantime Hancock & Moor- 
man had completed the present Opera House, and Feb- 
ruary 6 it was opened by F. C. Bangs, in Julius CiBsar. 

The people were still complaining of hard times, 
and yet many improvements were going on. A new 
iron bridge was built over Blackwater creek at Sixth 
street ; the colored Presbyterian church, on Clay street, 
was dedicated February 9. Pace's warehouse was 
opened with a big ball April 14, A. S, Payne and J. J. 
Woodroof being managers. Mr. Woodroof had before 
given the children a ball at the Arlington, June 30, 
1877. The Paces had made an innovation by intro- 
ducing a bell in lieu of the old horn to call men to the 
breaks. The warehouses were so numerous now that 
double breaks Avere introduced the 23d of this month. 
On the 29th the corner-stone of the new colored Bap- 
tist church, corner Court and Sixth streets, was laid. 
A large meeting was held at the Arlington hotel on 
the 30th to establish a telephone exchange here. A 
few of the instruments had been introduced and they 
seemed a marvel, many of the people coming to see 
them work. 

A spring fair was held INIay 27; it was a tobacco 
exhibit and a race meet, with no notable feature except 
a speech by Governor Zeb Vance of North Carolina. 



324 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

This was the year of the introduction of the pretty 
opera, " Pinafore." Mrs. J. W. Stone organized a com- 
pany of amateurs, and they were so well received that 
several times they presented the piece at the Opera 
House. 

The canal had been so often damaged by high water 
that it was determined to sell it, so a bill was passed 
authorizing the sale of the James River and Kanawha 
canal to the Richmond and Alleghany Railroad Company. 
The people were hard at work to build the railroad, 
and on June 24, a public meeting in interest of it was 
held at Holcombe Hall, and was addressed by the vice- 
president, H. C. Parsons. 

The Church of the Holy Cross, the beautiful new 
Catholic church was dedicated September 14. Arch- 
bishop James Gibbons, of Baltimore, Bishop J. J. 
Keane of Richmond, Fathers Healey, of Georgetown 
College, Murray, of Old Point, Donahue, of Warren- 
ton, McGurk, the pastor, and Hasty, the assistant pastor, 
took part. Archbishop Gibbons preached the sermon 
from Revelations, 5 : 8-13, and performed the service of 
consecration. Bishop Keane celebrated high mass, 
and then explained the ringing of the bell three times 
a day at angelus. Bishop Gibbons, over five years ago, 
September 6, 1874, dedicated the Catholic cemetery 
here. Since the building of the first Catholic church 
by the Rev. Daniel Downey there had been a good 
many rectors. Father O'Donoghue died here December 
30, 1845. He was succeeded by Father Farrel, who 
staid a short while, and returned to his home in Mar- 



LYNCHBUEQ AND ITS PEOPLE. 325 

tinsburg to die. The parish was visited by Rev. Ed- 
ward Fox, who in 1847 became the priest in charge. 
August 3, 1850, Father Fox died of consumption at 
the residence of Michael Connell. Then came the Rev. 
Thomas Mulvey, who staid until 1855, and was suc- 
ceeded by Father McGovern, who remained until 1858. 
Then came Rev. Oscar A. Sears who served until 1865. 
Rev. Michael Farren then took charge of the parish 
and continued until October 7, 1869, when he died. 
Rev. J. J. McGurk came to perform his funeral obse- 
quies and was immediately appointed rector, and con- 
tinues to-day in charge of the church. 

Governor HoUiday and a party who were inspecting 
the route of the Richmond and Alleghany road, arrived 
here over the canal October 9. They were met by tKe 
Home Guard, Artillery Blues and Hill City Guards, 
colored. The party was escorted to the Norvell House, 
where C. W. Button made an address of welcome, to 
which the Governor responded. Next day they resumed 
their journey, well pleased with Lynchburg. 

The time for the election was now drawing near, and 
the question before the people was, " Shall we pay the 
State debt or repudiate it ? " The old parties were lost 
sight of and the new parties were the Funders and Re- 
adjusters. The Funders held a big rally at Pace's, 
October 23, and were addressed by A. M. Keiley, 
now of the Supreme Court of Alexandria, Egypt. 
"When the election came off, Lynchburg, much to its 
credit, voted overwhelmingly in favor of paying the 
State debt. 



326 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

A new hotel was opened November 17, the Relay 
House, and on the 20th, Moorman's new warehouse. 
The question of furnishing the city with water from 
Burton's creek was being agitated at this time, but 
amounted to nothing. 

The death rate this year among the prominent citi- 
zens was large. January 14, Wilson P. Bryant, an old 
and distinguished citizen, died, and on the 1 6th, Colonel 
Virginius Rodes, a brother of General Rodes. Colonel 
James M. Langhorne, a prominent tobacconist, passed 
away March 9, and on the 13th, Charles L. Mosby. 
He was for a long time the leader of the bar here, and 
several times represented the city in the legislature. 
He was an honorable man and a devoted member of the 
Presbyterian church. On the 27th, Harry Edwards, a 
bright and promising boy, fell from the top of a house 
on Main street while trying to fix an amateur telephone, 
and was instantly killed, and on the next day Abram 
F. Biggers, superintendent of public schools, died. He 
was a true man, an accurate scholar and an earnest 
Christian. Another true man passed away April 27, 
when Dr. Samuel B. Christian, for a long time one of 
the leading physicians here and a vestryman of St. 
Paul's church, died. The medical fraternity of the 
city bore his body to Spring Hill and laid it in the 
tomb. May 14, George D. Davis, another old and 
honored citizen, died, and on June 28, Norvell Lang- 
horne, one of our young men, was killed in a railroad 
accident at Reed Creek. The death of two other citi- 
zens completes the list for this year. October 27, T. C. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 327 

S. Ferguson died. He was one of our most useful 
citizens, being connected with many of our business 
and charitable institutions. He was conscientious, dis- 
creet and laborious. November 2, Dr. Marcellus P. 
Christian, another leading physician, died of pneumo- 
nia. Until 1861 he was surgeon in the United States 
navy, but when the war broke out, like many others, 
he came to offer his services to bis State. After the 
war he settled here and soon won the confidence and 
esteem of all as a man honorable, just and generous. 



CHAPTER XI. 

Peosperity was the word which characterized the 
period upon which we are now entering. Never in the his- 
tory of Lynchburg Avas the outlook brighter than now; 
business was good, the wholesale trade rapidly growing, 
buildings were going up, one hundred and eighty-eight 
thousand dollars having been spent the preceding year in 
various structures, and above all iron was king, com- 
manding a high price. Everywhere men were search- 
ing for ore, and every land-owner thought his farm had 
rich deposits on it. The Lynchburg Iron, Steel, and 
Mining Company was organized, with General Bird 
Grubb, president, and General T. T. Munford, vice- 
president and general manager. The company pur- 
chased Deane's Foundry and Rolling Mill and soon 
began the erection of a large blast furnance. The James 
River Steel Manufacturing Company was also organized 
and bought the rolling mill property above the city. 
Then followed the James River Foundry and Manufac- 
turing Company, which was operated by Robinson, Tate 
& Company, and which bought the Phoenix, or Dab- 
ney's, foundry. 

The time of amusement has its place as well as bus- 
iness, and on the 13 th and 14th of January, large 
crowds attended the Opera House to see Joe Jefferson 
in " Rip Van Winkle." 

The city claimed twenty-two thousand inhabitants. 





Bsi?' *f^"-: 







Tobacco BRERhS 



BP VllWNfAStMINABV.COLORED. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 329 

but the census of this year showed only fifteen thousand, 
nine hundred and fifty-nine within the corporate limits. 
If the city was not so large now as it was thought to 
be, the next census w^ould find it greatly enlarged. 
With this in view, the citizens applied themselves to 
the task of building up the place. The question as to 
a railroad up the towpath had been settled, and April 
1, the Richmond and Alleghany road was begun at 
Richmond. The work here was soon to begin, and 
Lynchburg expected to reap large advantages from the 
nevvT enterprise. 

In the meantime a proposition for a street railway 
had been made, and had provoked much discussion. 
The movement took form at the meeting held at Hol- 
combe Hall June 30. C. W. Button presided, and 
Major J. H. Flood moved that a committee of seven 
be appointed to secure a charter, suggest the route, 
procure the right of way and solicit subscriptions. A. 
A. Tunstall, R. T. Craighill, J. P. Bell, L. L. Arm- 
istead, Stephen Adams, John P. Pettyjohn and John 
Helbig were appointed. They went to work with a 
vim, and soon the company was organized, with Major 
C. V. Wiufree, president, and work on the road began 
August 30. Some doubted the wisdom of the move, 
saying that it was doomed to failure, because Lynch- 
burg was not large enough for a street railroad. While 
the work was progressing. Main street was paved with 
Belgian block. The road was finished in time for the 
fall fair, and October 19, six horse-cars were started 
from the turntable on Twelfth street, near Grace, to the 



330 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Fair Grounds. The people were delighted to hear the 
jingle of the street car bell, and every one who had ten 
cents wanted to take a ride. The cars were irregular 
in running both as to time and place ; sometimes they 
would pass within an hour and sometimes earlier, and 
then they would run on the track and then off; but 
what did this matter — they were new street cars. After 
a while they ran with more regularity and were some- 
what of a convenience. 

Other interesting things were going on. The Metho- 
dist church in Danielstown was dedicated June 27, Rev. 
D. P. Wills preaching the sermon, and September 5, 
Rev. E. S. Gregory, who had accepted a call to Epi- 
phany, preached his first sermon. But the presidential 
election seemed to be the most interesting subject before 
the people. The Democrats had nominated Hancock 
and English, and the Republicans Garfield and Arthur. 
Lynchburg heartily approved of the Democratic nomi- 
nees, and June 24 a great ratification meeting was held 
in front of the Norvell House. Charles M. Blackford, 
Thomas Whitehead, T. J. Kirkpatrick, Frank P. 
Brent, L. S. Marye and J. S. Diggs addressed the 
crowd from the hotel porch. The Artillery fired one 
hundred guns from Amherst heights, and at every re- 
port there was loud cheering. As the election came on 
the interest deepened, and October 27 another meeting 
was held at Moorman's warehouse, and was addressed by 
J. R. Tucker and John AV. Daniel. When the time for 
voting arrivedjLynchburg went for Hancock and English 
by a large majority, but Garfield and Arthur were elected. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 331 

While many were engaged in politics, a notorious 
Lynchburger was suddenly sent to the quiet shades of 
the tomb, October 21 ; Bill Sprouse killed his chum, 
Spot Rider. 

A meeting of importance was that held November 
11. A party of capitalists interested in the Richmond 
and Alleghany road reached here over the canal that 
day, and at night a large reception was given them at 
the Opera House. Several speeches were made upon 
the bright prospect for the new road, and after these 
exercises were over the guests adjourned to the Arling- 
ton, where a sumptuous banquet was tendered them by 
the citizens. Mayor S. G. Wingfield made an address 
of welcome, after which there were several cordial re- 
sponses. The party left next day for the Natural 
Bridge, being well pleased with the hospitality of the 
Hill City. 

The record of deaths among the prominent citizens 
was not so large this year as usual. Robert P. Button 
died January 22, and Rev. John Bayley, pastor of 
Madison Methodist church, February 25; Lorenzo Nor- 
vell, an old citizen and one prominent in banking circles, 
passed away March 17. Judge J. G. Haythe, a lead- 
ing lawyer and judge of Campbell county, died May 
13, and on the 21st he was followed by Bryan Akers, 
one of the oldest citizens. Henry O. Schoolfield, 
another old citizen, died June 1. 

When the new year, 1881, opened the city was rap- 
idly moving forward, and everywhere there were en- 
couraging signs. The new pump-house was completed 



332 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the month before ; the blast furnace was in operation, 
work on the Richmond and Alleghany road was being 
pushed, and in January a handsome new public school 
building, corner of Fifth and Clay streets, was com- 
pleted. But the people were not so taken up with 
material prosperity as to forget the higher things. The 
Holcombe Hall Association was organized with a view 
to having at stated times lectures on scientific and lite- 
rary subjects. The lectures proved very helpful, and 
many showed their appreciation by attending. Prom- 
inent among the lecturers were John W. Daniel, E,. G. 
H. Kean, T. J. Kirkpatrick, C. M. Blackford, C. W. 
Button, Revs. W. E. Edwards and Edward S. Gregory. 
The last named had but recently issued a book of poems 
entitled "Bonnie Belle and Other Poems," which 
was well received. The short quotation below is charac- 
teristic of his poetry, which breathes a tender love of 
Nature, with a strong leaning towards elegiac verse : 

" On western hills the day declines, 
Beneath their violet plumes of pines. 
And where the last ray lingering sliines, 
'Tis softly fading into night. 

The tender gloaming, shade on shade, 
Comes darkling down on glen and glade, 
What time, in beauty bright array' d, 
The stars bloom into sight ; 

Then love takes up the evening song, 
And memory, kindling warm and strong, 
Kecalls dead hopes in thickening throng. 
And paints the past in mellow light." 

Within the next few months there were a good many 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 333 

things of interest. In February, the Atlantic, Missis- 
sippi and Ohio road was sold, reorganized and called the 
Norfolk and Western, likewise the Washington City, 
Virginia Midland and Great Southern was reorganized 
and called the Virginia Midland. The National Ex- 
change Bank was begun on the 25th, and about the same 
time the city was much scared over the smallpox, which 
had broken out. In March, a new evening paper. The 
Advance, was started by Whitehead & Co., and the 
same month Major J. W. Daniel proposed a narrow- 
gauge road from Lynchburg to Brookneal. The propo- 
sition created a great deal of discussion, and though not 
acted upon it served to open the way for a road to be 
built later. A more important move was that of the 
Council in appointing a committee to ascertain if the 
Shenandoah Valley road could not be brought to 
Lynchburg instead of Big Lick. The committee did 
its best, but it was too late ; the route had been decided 
upon. Guggenheimer & Co. opened their large dry- 
goods store May 2, in the first iron-front building 
erected in Lvnchburo;, 

Dr. L. W. Bates, the newly assigned pastor of the 
Methodist Protestant church, and nearly his whole fam- 
ily were taken desperately ill immediately after breakfast 
one April morning. The doctors were called in and pro- 
nounced it a case of poisoning, most probably from the 
meat eaten at the morning meal. Later it was found 
that only those who had drunk coffee were sick, and 
at once the coffee was analyzed and found to contain 
poison. Then the question arose, who had tried to kill 



334 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the preacher and his family? Suspicion pointed to 

the cook, Margaret Fogus, and when questioned she 

confessed to putting a certain mixture in the coffee, 

but denied attempting to poison the family. Margaret, 

like most of her race, was superstitious and believed in 

the effects of herbs, potions and the like, so she applied to 

" Dr.'' Huckstep, a negro, who professed to be familiar 

with the art of conjuration. He promised to furnish 

the needed " cunjur," and went to work to prepare it. 

" Double, double, toil and trouble 
Fire burn and caldron bubble, 
Fillet of a fenny snake 
In the caldron boil and bake, 
Eye of a newt, and toe of a frog, 
Wool of a bat and tongue of a dog. 
Adders' fork and blind worms' sting, 
Lizard's leg and owlet wing. 
For a charm of powerful trouble. 
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble." 

Thus the " doctor " fixed the " cunjur" and gave it to 
Margaret, who thought that all trouble between her and 
her employer would vanish and she would hold a high 
place in their esteem, and be able to fix whatever terms 
suited her. Her venture into the region of the recon- 
dite proved a dismal failure, for she soon found herself, 
with the " doctor," in the clutches of the law, to 
answer the charge of attempting to kill a whole family. 
Her faith in " cunjurs " was now gone, and she went 
to jail weeping over the effects of her folly. 

Who does not remember the burlesque on "Pinafore," 
" Sarah Jane, or Life on the Freight Boat," by Thomas 
Simpson. It was especially appropriate at this time, 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 335 

for the dock at the foot of Bridge street was crowded 
with freight boats, driven like wikl horses into a trap. 
The railroad was crowding in upon them and there was 
no future for them but to be food for the flames. The 
peculiar melody of the boat-horn was about to de- 
part forever from the hills and the vales of the James, 
and the wild scream of the locomotive was to take its 
place. Farewell, companions of the early days ; many 
sweet memories go with you. 

An effort was made to connect the past and the 
present, when Mayor Samuel G. Wingfield called a 
public meeting at Holcombe Hall to arouse the people 
upon the subject of the Yorktown Centennial, which was 
to take place the following October. John Goode, presi- 
dent of the Centennial Committee, and John W. Daniel 
spoke and the people promised their support. 

A dull, calm summer day was July 2, and the city 
was quietly moving along in its accustomed way, until 
it was learned that the Western Union Telegraph Com- 
pany had hung out their bulletin-board ; then there 
was a wave of excitement, for this was not done unless 
there was news of importance. A crowd soon gathered 
and each one was stretching his head forward to read 
the dispatch. A feeling of horror passed over each one 
as he read the sad news that Charles J. Guiteau had 
attempted to assassinate President Garfield in the Union 
depot at Washington, and had shot him twice. The 
report soon spread over the entire city and carried 
sadness to every heart. The people denounced the 
dastardly act, and hoped and prayed that the President's 



336 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

life might be spared. Day after day the newspapers 
were eagerly sought, that some information might be ob- 
tained as to the condition of the distinguished sufferer. 
Scarcely had the sensation produced by this terrible 
affair subsided when another powerfully stirred the 
whole city. In one of the new stores under the Opera 
House, a stranger had opened the handsomest grocery 
store in the town, and on every side there were expres- 
sions of satisfaction at the acquisition of the new en- 
terprise. Business was good and the people were glad 
to deal at the new store, but Saturday, July 30, when 
the store was full of customers, Officer Coombs suddenly 
checked the whole thing when he arrested the proprie- 
tor, J. Waite, as a bigamist. The warrant was sworn 
out by James Waite, who claimed that the grocer's 
name was Burgess, and that he had stolen his wife and 
child, and had assumed his name. The trial came off 
Monday in the Mayor's Court, and a large crowd was 
present. Waite said he had seen men digging in 
Burgess' yard in Michigan for the dead body of a man 
supposed to have been murdered and buried there, and 
that when Burgess heard that he knew something about 
the affair he became uneasy and said if he would not 
tell what he knew he would find out from Mrs. Waite. 
Not being able to find out, he had persuaded the woman 
to run off with him and take her child, and he had left 
his own wife, saying that fair exchange was no robbery. 
AVaite took his little girl and departed for Michigan, 
and the Mayor held Burgess, alias Waite, for a requisi- 
tion from the Governor of that State. After a sufficient 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 337 

time had elapsed and nothing had been heard from Mich- 
igan tlie prisoner was discharged. Burgess said he in- 
tended to remain in Lynchburg, and to lead a new life ; 
so he bought the store of W. ^D. Hix, and started busi- 
ness again. This, however, did not continue long, for 
on August 27 he suddenly left town, and has not been 
heard of since. The store he left about as he had 
gotten it, and Mr. Hix did not lose fifty dollars. 

Another excitement followed this, when, at the con- 
vention in Richmond, August 4, Major John "NY. Dan- 
iel was nominated for Governor. The people of 
Lynchburg rejoiced at the distinction conferred upon 
their fellow-townsman, and arranged for a great ova- 
tion on the night of the 12th. The houses were deco- 
rated with flags and bunting and many were illumi- 
nated; the Blues fired a salute from Amherst heights, and 
a long torchlight procession, headed by the band and 
military companies, marched through the crowded 
streets. When the Opera House was reached the column 
halted, and as many as could went in. J. S. Diggs 
oifered a series of resolutions pledging the support of 
Lynchburg to the Democratic nominee, and then the 
meeting called for Major Daniel. R. G. H. Kean 
introduced him, and amid a storm of applause the gal- 
lant Lynchburger limped to the front and eloquently 
addressed his own people on the issues of the canvass. 
It seemed that even the heavens were joining in the 
illumination, for this same night a great comet appeared. 

The first train over the Richmond and Alleghany 
road arrived here August 17, and on the 21st the Third 



338 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Presbyterian church, on Daniel's Hill, was organized 
by Rev. W. T. Hall, D. D., and Major T. J. Kirk- 
patrick and S. M. McCorkle. 

The notes of joy were soon supplanted by the low 
notes of sorrow, for, after all that medical skill and 
scientific nursing could do, James A. Garfield, presi- 
dent of the United States, died September 19, the 
victim of an assassin's wickedness. Now all political 
divisions and sectional lines M'^ere obliterated and the 
whole country bent in mournful mood over the bier of 
their dead chieftain. Lynchburg called a public meet- 
ing, over which Judge James Garland presided. Res- 
olutions were passed abhorring the atrocious act of the 
assassin, expressing sympathy with the mother, wife 
and children of the deceased, and calling upon the 
Mayor to issue a proclamation in regard to suitable 
observances on the day of the funeral. Mayor AVing- 
field telegraphed the city's condolence and received a 
reply from J. G. Blaine, Secretary of State. When the 
26th, the day of the funeral, arrived, all business was 
suspended from 11 A. m. to 3 P. m.; the public build- 
ings and many private houses were draped, the bells 
tolled and the hush of sorrow was upon the city. Joint 
services were held at several of the churches, and the 
colored societies showed their respect for the occasion 
by parading the principal streets. 

The political situation in the State had become very 
interesting, and as the time of the election drew near 
the interest increased. Lynchburg nominated J. S. 
Diggs as the State Senator. When the news of the 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 339 

election came Major Daniel was defeated, and W. E. 
Cameron, the Mahone candidate, was elected. The 
influence of the Readjusters was still strong, and had 
much to do with the defeat of Major Daniel, who was 
a pronounced Funder. 

The coming generation came in for its share of 
notice November 29, when thirty babies, in their car- 
riages, paraded the streets. What a sight it was, and 
especially to the parents ; but the old bachelors and the 
maidens from thirty to fifty fretted and complained 
because the sidewalk was obstructed by baby carriages. 
Some, however, dared to say that envy was the real 
cause of the complaint. The baby show was a success, 
and each of the young men and women who were in it 
may have the satisfaction of knowing that he was 
thought the most beautiful baby — by his own father 
and mother. 

This year death claimed some useful citizens. John 
M. Miller, a prominent citizen and excellent busi- 
ness man, died January 25, and Powell Kinnear, a 
promising young man, March 7. Rev. Fielding W. 
Morris, colored, the respected pastor of Court Street 
Baptist church, died March 15. T. J. Jellis, for a 
long time connected with the Virginia and Tennessee 
road, died September 27, and William T. Booker, a 
well-known citizen, December 5. 

The signs of prosperity that marked the past year 
were not wanting in 1882. The principal question 
before the people at the beginning of the year was that 
in regard to the reorganization of the fire department. 



340 LYNCHBURG AISD ITS PEOPLE. 

Ever since Lynchburg was started it had been protected 
against fire by volunteer companies, and now the pro- 
position for a paid fire department was brought up. 
The question was discussed at the November meeting 
of the council, and was compromised at the next meet- 
ing by having paid drivers for the apparatus. This 
did not prove satisfactory, and it was proposed to have 
electric fire alarms, and to reorganize the volunteer 
companies, but this was impracticable, and there seemed 
to be nothing left except to have a paid department. 
The question was by no means settled, and would not 
be for some time to come. The colored Presbyterian 
church on Clay street was destroyed by fire January 
27, the second church ever burned in Lynchburg. 

The new Wood pump had failed to come up to con- 
tract and had to be rejected. Many were the signs 
of progress; a new dam across the river was being 
built by the Richmond and Alleghany road for right of 
way through the city. Sixty thousand dollars was raised 
for a manufacturing company called the Lynchburg 
Foundry and Machine Works, afterwards the Glamor- 
gan Company. The Lynchburg and Southwestern road 
had been incorporated, and efforts were made to start a 
new bank, the Commercial, which was opened the next 
summer, with John W. Daniel president, S. P. Halsey 
vice-president, and James F. Kinnier cashier. 

May brought another small-pox scare, and it was not 
without foundation, for five cases were known and per- 
haps some others. About the same time all the houses 
in the city were renumbered preparatory to a free mail 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 341 

delivery. A railroad from Lyncliburg to Pittsburg 
was proposed, but did not materialize. The Bonsack 
Cigarette Machine Company was organizing, and gave 
promise of great success, and in October the improve- 
ment of Courthouse Hill was begun with the expecta- 
tion of putting a fountain in place of the old hose 
house. The usual fair was held, but Lynchburg was 
much disturbed over tlie report that the Norfolk and 
Western railroad contemplated moving its offices and 
shops from here to Roanoke, a place just started at the 
junction of that road and the Shenandoah Valley. 
Great resentment was felt in view of the fact that the 
town had struggled so hard to build the road, and now 
it was to be used against it. " How sharper than a 
serpent's tooth to have a thankless child." The rumor 
proved to be true, and soon everything that could be 
moved was moved, and Lynchburg left to make the 
best of it. 

Since the war there had been no Young Men's 
Christian Association except for a short while. Realiz- 
ing the good it had done, some of the citizens called a 
meeting at Holcombe Hall, October 31, and a new as- 
sociation was organized. The next month the Chamber 
of Commerce was organized, with George M. Jones 
president. At the November election the Democrats 
were successful, and on the 11th the victory was cele- 
brated by a torch-light procession and public speaking. 
A new paper, The Lynchburg Gazette, was started by 
Pollock and Buehner. But the most important event 
was that which took place December 23. The bar had 



342 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tendered to Judge James Garland a banquet on June 
6, in honor of his ninetieth birthday, and now as he 
was about to retire from the bench, farewell ceremonies, 
suitable to the occasion, were held. R. G. H. Kean 
spoke and then read the following resolutions adopted 
by the bar : 

Whereas, The term of service of Honorable James Garland, the 
venerable Judge of the Corporation Court of Lynchburg, has now 
dra^\Ti to a close, and he full of honors and years is about to withdraw 
to private life after an active and distinguished pursuit of the legal 
profession for a period of seventy years, the last twelve of which 
have been devoted to a full, zealous and able discharge of all the 
duties pertaining to the judgeship of the Corporation Court of the 
city of Lynchburg, therefore be it — 

Resolved, By the Bar of Lynchburg. 1. That we tender to Judge 
Garland this evidence of our admiration and regard as well as a 
recorded testimony to the ability, fidelity, efficiency, courtesy and 
impartiality with which this court has been administered by him 
from the time of its organization to this hour. 

2. That in his return to private life Judge Garland carries with 
him the hearty reverence and good wishes of every member of the 
Bar. 

3. That we indulge the hope that the evening of his unusually 
long, laborious and useful career may be calm, happy and peaceful. 

4. That R. G. H. Kean be deputed on behalf of the Bar to present 
these proceedings to Judge Garland in court on the last day of the 
December term, 1882, and request that they be entered upon the 
order book of the court. 

Judge Garland seemed to be greatly moved, and 
made a feeling response. He was a strong man and in 
many respects remarkable. Though totally blind, his 
other faculties were well preserved, and he was an 
efficient judge even in his ninety-first year. He began 
the practice of law in 1812, represented this district in 



LY■^^CHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 343 

Congress 1835 to 1841; was commonwealth's attorney 
from 1852 to 1870, and judge of the court from 1870 
to 1883. He was succeeded by Charles P. Latham, 
January 1. 

Lynchburg had lost some good citizens this year. 
James F. Payne died February 3; Wister Langhorne, 
April 2; Captain Samuel A. Bailey, at onetime mayor, 
April 27; and October 3, Charlie Jones, a bright young 
man, was run over by the shifting engine and killed. 
On the 29th, Mrs. Margaret Cabell, the author of 
" Sketches and Recollections of Lynchburg," died; 
November 2, "VV. F. Saunders and W. F. Hickey died; 
and Clifford Statham, the postmaster, on the 19th. 

The year 1883 opened as auspicously as the several 
preceding, and the city continued its progress. There 
were several changes in the churches. Rev. George C. 
Vanderslice had succeeded Rev. J. S. Hunter at Cen- 
tenary, Rev. J. M. Rawlings was pastor at the Second 
Presbyterian church, and the Rev. Dr. S. B. Souther- 
land at the Methodist Protestant. Court Street began 
a movement February 25 for a new Methodist church, 
corner Ninth and Floyd streets, and on the 27th the 
Baptist Convention met here. April 27, the State 
Convention of the Y. M. C. A. also met here. 

This same month the negroes in the tobacco factories 
struck for higher wages, and the new reservoir on Clay 
street was begun. 

The question about the paid fire department had not 
been fully settled. March 28, Alexander Thurman was 
elected chief, and the work of organization started. 



344 LYJSrCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The Fifth Street station had been finished, and in May 
the Gamewell electric fire alarm was in operation. 
None drearaed of the fearfid experience that awaited 
the new department so early in its history. 

There was nothing unusual in the early morninji; of 
May 30. It was a hot, dusty day and business was 
moving along as usual, when about ten o'clock the city 
was startled by a rude alarm of fire. The alarm came 
from the box at Main and Ninth streets, and before the 
fire department arrived Jones, Watts Brothers & Cos'. 
big iron front hardware store seemed to be in a blaze 
from bottom to top. It seems that a clerk threw a 
lighted paper upon the basement floor where the oil 
was kept, and it immediately caught fire. The elevator 
shaft was open and the building caught so quickly that 
there was not time to close the safe. The newly 
organized department began to fight the fire in earnest, 
but it was powerless. The streams of water seemed to 
feed the flames, and soon the Virginian Building, corner 
Main and Tenth street, was a fire. Then the Sample 
Room, a tailor shop, a frame stable corner Church and 
Tenth streets, Peters & Flood's tobacco factory and two 
frame houses on Church street caught, and were soon 
wrapped in flames. Holcombe Hall, Friends' ware- 
house, Mrs. C. J. M. Jordan's house and several other 
buildings caught, but were extinguished before much 
damage was done. At one time it seemed as if two or 
three blocks would be destroyed, but fortunately the 
wind changed and they were saved. The people were 
almost frantic, and once it looked as if there would 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 345 

be a riot ; men wanted to take the hose from the 
firemen. The Home Guard and the Blues were called 
out to preserve order, and they had scarcely gotten 
on the ground when another disturbance arose and 
a race riot was imminent. The fire was at length 
confined to the buildings already burning, and the 
firemen turned their attention to them. Edward Mc- 
Crossin and W. P. Redman climbed to the top of 
the reelincf iron front of the hardware store to attach 
a rope in order to pull it down, before it fell and 
killed some of the men. This w^as successful, and when 
it was over the Virginian Building blazed up and Halsey 
Gouldman, J. A. Vaughan, J. T. Clement, Captain W. 
R. Moore and Felix Delbelvre w^ent into the house wdth 
two streams of water. They had been there about 
thirty minutes when the division wall fell with a crash 
and buried them beneath its ruins. A shudder of 
horror went through the crowd as soon as it was learned 
that the men were buried under the hot bricks. The 
citizens rushed in to help remove the debris and it was 
with difficulty that the police and the military com- 
panies could keep them back and prevent other 
accidents. Willing hands worked for hours searching 
for the bodies. None thought that any escaped death, 
and they were correct, for when the bodies were reached 
it was found that they had been killed almost instantly. 
Besides the great loss of property in this, the most 
disastrous fire ever known in Lynchburg, the awful 
death of these brave men carried sorrow to every heart. 
The city council called a meeting that night to honor 



346 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the heroic dead, to arrange for their funeral, and to 
have a monument erected to their memory by the city. 

The funeral was appointed for Thursday, May 31, 
at 4 p. M., at the Opera House. When the time ar- 
rived all business was suspended, the houses were draped 
and the streets were crowded with people. The five 
caskets rested in front of the stage, and every available 
space in the building was occupied by citizens eager to 
show their last respect to the brave men. Revs. T. M. 
Carson, S. B. Southerland, G. C. Vanderslice, W. T. 
Hall, W. E. Edwards, and W. R. L. Smith took part 
in the service, and Major John W. Daniel delivered 
the funeral oration. After these ceremonies were con- 
cluded the longest procession ever witnessed in Lynch- 
burg, consisting of the white and colored military com- 
panies, various orders and associations, fire companies, 
city officials and citizens took up its line of march to 
the Presbyterian cemetery. There the services at the 
grave were performed by Revs. J. H. Williams, R. R. 
Acree and J. M. Rawlins. 

A subscription for the widows and orphans of the dead 
firemen was at once started, and in a few days after the 
funeral a mass meeting was called at the Opera House 
to arrange for the investment of the funds raised. Peter 
J. Otey, N. R. Bowman, R. L. Waldron, Charles M. 
Blackford, and W. A. Strother were appointed trustees. 
The total amount was three thousand, four hundred and 
sixty-eight dollars. Later the council decided that in- 
stead of a monument in the cemetery it would erect a 
memorial fountain at the foot of Courthouse Hill. This 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOrLE. 347 

was done and the fountain stands there today as Lynch- 
burg's recognition of the brave deed of these faithful 
men. 

The people did not rapidly recover from the effects 
of the terrible calamity, and for many years afterward 
this day was referred to as one of 'the saddest in the 
city's history. However, there were some events of a 
social nature during the summer months. Father Ryan, 
the Southern poet, lectured here July 2, and on the 
4 th the State regatta was held here, and the Appo- 
mattox and Potomac boat clubs won the prizes. On 
the 25th, the city was crowded with delegates to the 
Democratic State Convention. C. A. Licklider had 
been engaged as the secretary of the Young Men's 
Christian Association, and on August 2 permanent 
rooms were opened on the second floor of the building 
on the south corner of Eighth and Main streets. 

The great fire had taught the city a lesson, and in 
June the organization of the paid fire department was 
completed ; and this was none too soon, for within two 
months a species of vandalism began which, though 
unwelcome, was by no means unknown. W. B. Snead's 
shop was set on fire August 12 ; then closely following 
this was another and another, and on the 29th six old 
buildings, including outhouses, stables and shops, were 
set on fire. Sometimes the fire department was kept going 
all night, scarcely putting out one fire before another 
would break out. This was kept up through August, 
September and October, and the whole city was stirred 
over it, many being afraid to go to bed for fear their 



348 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

property would be burned up. Nearly every day the 
papers would have reports headed " Two Incendiary 
Attempts," " More Fires/' " The Incendiary Does Not 
Let Up." The mayor offered a reward of $500 to the 
one who should catch the rascal, and several arrests 
were made ; but the evidence necessary for conviction 
was lacking, so the parties were turned loose. Novem- 
ber 15 Moses Lacy's stable, on Church street, near 
Twelfth, was fired. As soon as the alarm was sounded 
Sergeant Samuel Johnson, Samuel T. Sutor and J. R. 
Coombs, who were on Diamond Hill, separated and 
came down towards the fire, in order to catch the incen- 
diary if he came that way. Just as Mr. Sutor got to 
C. E. Heald's back fence he met a man getting over 
the fence. He drew his pistol and halted him, and 
soon the officers came up and carried him to jail. The 
prisoner was Harrison Crews, the negro baker at the 
Norvell House. He had been at the incendiary busi- 
ness for more than three months, and during that time 
had several times set fire to the Norvell House stable, 
once while an officer was in the building to prevent it 
from being fired. Crews was tried at the December 
term of court, and was convicted upon his own confes- 
sion and given twenty-six years in the penitentiary, 
where he is still looking after fires, but in the capacity 
of a cook. Some thought his sentence very light^ 
others thought it heavy enough for him, but that there 
were others engaged in this nefarious business who, 
though innocent of being caught, were not innocent of 
being parties to the crime. However, when Crews was 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 349 

behind the bars the incendiary fires ceased, and the fire 
department and the people felt a great relief. 

The election came off in November, and the Mahone- 
ites were overwhelmingly defeated, the legislature being 
Democratic by a large majority. This was especially 
gratifying to the people of Lynchburg, for the evil 
effects of Mahoneite political trickery had been felt in 
many ways, and in none more than in putting improper 
men in places of responsibility as a reward for their 
political machinations. The city expressed its joy over 
the victory in the greatest celebration of the kind it 
ever held. The whole place was illuminated, cannons 
boomed, bells rang, tin horns sounded over the hills, 
and a large torchlight procession paraded the streets 
until the time for political speaking at one of the ware- 
houses. 

This year there had been only two deaths among the 
leading citizens — James O. Williams, October 10, and 
Dr. Robert Early, December 29. 

The capitalists of Lynchburg, always careful with 
their money, had begun to invest in other manufactur- 
ing enterprises besides that of tobacco, and the effects 
were beginning to tell upon the prosperity of the town. 
The Old Dominion Nail and Iron \Yorks had been 
organized by A. H. Leftwich, and the rolling mill \ 

property, above the city, had been secured as a plant ; 
so even here, at the beginning of 1884, there was good 
prospect of success. On every side marked evidences 
of success could be seen. But the people of the Hill 
City were not like some ; success did not spoil them. 



350 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

They have never been noted for overweening pride and 
haughty manners — neither have they been the slaves of 
foolish fashion, but have gone on easily and naturally, 
feeling themselves as- good as the best and sacrificing 
style to sense and comfort. Withal a remarkable en- 
ergy, a reasonable conservatism and a generous hospi- 
tality have been distinguishing characteristics of this 
people. 

Lynchburg has always been a generous patron of 
music and literature, and has given a helping hand to 
movements looking to the cultivation of these, such as 
the Mozart Association, started at this time. 

The city to this time had been " brilliantly lighted " 
with gas-posts here and there, and now it was proposed 
to introduce a new light, brighter even than the comet 
visible January 28. Six or eight electric lights were 
put upon the cupola of the Courthouse, and on March 
9 they were lighted. Hundreds of people turned out 
to witness the new invention, asking in amazement, 
" What will man do next ?" The test was so satisfac- 
tory that the people were eager to have the city lighted 
with electricity, and P. A. Krise, chairman of the light 
committee, soon arranged to have the lights in op- 
eration. 

The business men of Lynchburg, once since the 
war, had worked hard to establish a cotton mill and 
had failed. The Chamber of Commerce took the mat- 
ter up March 24, and again tried to establish the en- 
terprise. Max Guggenheimer, Jr., E. H. T. Adams 
and S. C. Hurt were appointed a committee to solicit 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 351 

subscriptions to the stock of the new company. They 
worked hard, but with such little success that they 
abandoned the idea for several months. Again they 
took the matter up and pushed it with some success 
until June, when it was again given up. The failure of 
the first cotton mill perhaps had much to do with the 
failure of this project. 

Some events of interest were transpiring in church 
affairs. West End Presbyterian church, which was 
built in 1881, was dedicated, March 16, by Kev. J. M. 
Rawlings, of the Second church. A revival of much 
interest was conducted at the Baptist church by the 
pastor, Rev. W. R. L. Smith, at which there were 
seventy professions. This meeting had scarcely closed 
when one was started at Centenary by the pastor, Rev. 
George C. Yanderslice, assisted by Rev. James Howell. 
This continued until May, and there were two hundred 
and sixty conversions. At the Young Men's Christian 
Association, William Cummings had succeeded to the 
secretaryship. 

The Baptist congregation had outgrown the capacity 
of their building on Church street, so they decided to 
build a new one. A lot at the corner of Court and 
Eleventh streets had been secured, and work begun. 
Tuesday, June 3, the corner stone was laid. It was 
estimated that several thousand people were present, 
besides the Home Guard, Artillery Blues, Knights 
Templar and Masons. Grand jNIaster H, W. Mur- 
ray, assisted by Grand Senior Warden A. I. Clark, and 
Grand Junior Warden R. T. Craighill, laid the stone 



352 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

according to Masonic rites. Rev. Drs. W. R. L. Smith 
and C. C. Bitting made addresses, Rev. R. R. Acree 
conducted the devotional service, and Rev. Dr. South- 
erland, of the Methodist Protestant church, pronounced 
the benediction. The building committee of the new 
church was A. W. Talley, N. R. Bowman, William 
Hurt, James A. Ford and F. D. Johnson. 

Trinity, a beautiful chapel erected by Centenary church 
at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars, was dedicated July 
20, Rev. George C. Vanderslice preaching the sermon. 

One of the most remarkable railroad accidents on 
record took place near Lynchburg Sunday morning, 
June 29. The southbound train on the Virginia 
Midland road, due here at 5 A. m., got loose, the brake 
being out of order, and in turning the curve at the en- 
trance from Amherst of the first Orange bridge the cars 
jumped the track. They plowed up the timbers of the 
bridge fearfully until the ladies' car reached the second 
pier and the train stopped. The two Pullman cars, being 
near the middle of the first span, immediately plunged 
through to the water beneath, a distance of more than 
forty feet. When the cars fell they did not strike any 
of the timbers of the bridge, and so retained their 
upright position. They went to the bottom of the 
river, and the waters covered them except the ventila- 
tors. In the first car were four women, one with an 
infant one month old, and ten men, and in the second, 
ten men. The only passenger awake was Captain 
Charles M. Blackford, who was preparing to get oiF at 
Lynchburg. There was no jar, so the passengers were 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 353 

not aroused until the water poured in upon them. 
They then held to the curtain rods to keep their heads 
above water. James ]\Iarks, a young man living near 
the river on the Amherst side, saw the accident and 
quickly came in a boat with an axe to rescue the pas- 
sengers. His father, Thomas Marks, also came. A 
hole was cut in the top of the cars, and the passen- 
gers drawn out. These men worked heroically to save 
the unfortunate people, as did Captain Blackford, who 
saved C. G. Holland, of Danville, just as he was sink- 
ing. At first it was thought that many were drowned, 
and they would have been had it not been for the timely 
aid of the young man in bringing the axe. Conductor 
King, who was at the brake on the end of the ladies' 
car, had two ribs broken, but besides this, marvelous to 
relate, not another person was even hurt. The wet 
passengers were brought to Lynchburg, and were re- 
joiced that they were unhurt after such a terrible ex- 
perience. Nearly all the valuables were found, and 
the cars were pulled out of the river, repaired, and 
again put on the road. The railroad company had to 
pay a large amount of damages, and thus ended this 
miraculous affair. 

Lynchburg looked forward with pleasure to the en- 
campment of the Third Virginia Regiment at the Fair 
Grounds. The city was decorated and great prepara- 
tions were made, so that when the soldiers arrived a 
royal welcome was given them. 

Politics now began to occupy the people's attention. 
Grover Cleveland had been nominated for President bv 



354 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the Democrats, and James G. Blaine by the Republi- 
cans, and on August 7, the Democratic convention at 
Roanoke nominated John W, Daniel for Congress from 
this district. Cleveland, Hendricks and Daniel clubs 
were organized in different parts of the city, and flag 
poles were erected. Not since the war had there been 
so much interest shown in an election. A great Demo- 
cratic demonstration was held November 3, when three 
thousand were in line with torches and transparencies, 
and on every side was a magnificent display of fire- 
works. The procession marched to Moorman's ware- 
house, and Judge Waller R. Staples and B. B. Mun- 
ford addressed the citizens. The next day Grover 
Cleveland was elected President of the United States, 
and John W. Daniel to Congress. The people were 
jubilant ; they could scarcely realize that the Democrats 
had for the second time since the war elected their can- 
didate. Another great demonstration was held Novem- 
ber 11 in honor of the victory. 

The Virginia Conference met at Court Street church, 
November 12. The new pastors appointed for Lynch- 
burg were : Rev. Dr. John Hannon, Memorial ; Rev. P. 
A. Peterson, Court Street, and Rev. J. Powell Garland, 
presiding elder. Soon after the adjournment of Confer- 
ence, Sunday, November 23, Memorial church was dedi- 
cated. Rev. Dr. David Sullins preached the sermon, 
from Zachariah, 4 : 6, and the trustees, W. C. Ivey, J. D. 
Bondurant, J. W. Dickerson, C. Y. Winfree, J. B. Win- 
free, M. N. Moorman, R. W. Morgan, H. Silverthorn 
and John P. Pettyjohn, presented the building to Rev. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 355 

Dr. W. E. Edwards, who dedicated it to the worship 
of God. The Sunday-school was organized that day. 
The first board of stewards was : C. Y. AMnfree, M. 
N. Moorman, H. Silverthorn, J. B. Winfree, W. S. 
Southall and A. Maupin. 

There had been this year some sad deaths of prom- 
inent citizens. February 23 A. G. Dabney, an old 
and esteemed citizen, died ; and on April 11 Dr. Henry 
Latham, the oldest practitioner in the city. He had 
lived here a long time and was greatly honored for his 
noble qualities of head and heart. The next day Cap- 
tain Thomas B. Horton, a brave Confederate soldier, 
passed away; May 14 C. H. Rucker, a prominent to- 
bacconist, died ; Dr. Robert S. Payne, another old 
physician and a man who stood high in the regard of 
the people, died September 28 ; and November 20 
Captain B. H. Xowlin, a av ell-known citizen. The 
saddest death of the year was December 19, when Rev. 
Edward S. Gregory passed away, in the forty-first year 
of his age. He was a good man, an earnest minister, 
and a writer of ability, having been editor-in-chief of 
the Petersburg Index-Appeal when he decided to enter 
the ministry. After a brief course at the seminary he 
was ordained here at St. Paul's, and took charge of 
Epiphany church. Revs. T. M. Carson, J. A. Wil- 
liams, P. A. Peterson, W. T. Hall and R. R. Acree 
took part in his funeral, which was from St. Paul's 
church, Sunday, the 21st. A large crow^l of people 
gathered to show the last mark of respect to the gifted 
minister, departed. 



356 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The union services of the week of prayer at the 
beginning of 1885 were of so much interest that they 
continued week after week until the pastors were com- 
pelled to bring them to a close. 

Early in the year the people of Lynchburg began to 
look forward to the inauguration of Grover Cleveland, 
the first Democratic President since the war. The 
Lynchburg Home Guard, Captain M. P. Davis, at- 
tended and were in line, and a large crowd of Lynch- 
burg people were present. 

The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher lectured here March 
18 on "The Reign of the Common People," and in 
April Rev. Dr. Guerrant held a successful revival at 
the First Presbyterian church. The same month Rev. 
T. E. Coulbourne was appointed pastor of the Meth- 
odist Protestant church. 

The question of a railroad from Lynchburg to North 
Carolina, which had several times been before the 
people, was again up for discussion, but had to give 
way to the Lynchburg and Southwestern road. A 
large public meeting was held at Moorman's warehouse 
and much interest was shown in the movement, but 
when the vote was taken. May 28, to decide whether 
the city should subscribe to three hundred thousand 
dollars of its stock, twenty-one hundred voted for it and 
two hundred and seventy-five against it, and there not 
being three-fifths of the registered voters, the proposi- 
tion was defeated. The fact that the city was making 
large expenditures at this time for necessary improve- 
ments may have had some effect upon the vote. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 357 

Under the wise management of Dr. W. H. Dulaney, 
chairman of the water committee, the handsome stone 
basin of the Clay street reservoir, corner of Sixth street, 
was completed in December, 1883, at a cost of sixty- 
one thousand, four hundred and ninety-two dollars ; 
and on June 8, this year, water was pumped into the 
second basin, corner of Seventh street, which cost forty- 
seven thousand dollars. On this latter occasion the 
city council, water committee and a large number of 
people were present. The scene reminded one some- 
what of that which took place on the same spot more 
than sixty years before. 

The Methodists of the city were very much interested 
on the subject of education, and July 15 a meeting was 
held at Court Street church to' inaugurate a plan to 
raise one hundred thousand dollars to endow the 
Lynchburg chair of English at Randolph-Macon Col- 
lege. The leaders worked earnestly over it, and in a 
few months the whole amount was raised. 

Lynchburg heard with sadness the news of General 
U. S. Grant's death, July 23, for it honored him for his 
chivalrous treatment of General Lee at Appomattox, 
when he refused to take his sword, and later, when there 
was talk of punishing General Lee, he said he would take 
the field in his defence. These two acts alone endeared 
the Federal leader to every Southerner, and especially 
to the Virginians. 

The fair this year was of special interest ; besides a 
competitive drill. General Fitzhugh Lee, the candidate 
for Governor, was to be present. His arrival, October 



358 LYNCHBUEa AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1 o, was made a great occasion ; the city was decorated 
with flags and bunting, and great crowds of people 
turned out. General T. T. Munford met the distin- 
guished visitor. Then followed a great street parade. 
There were in line Confederate veterans from the city 
and the surrounding counties ; Fitz Lee Troop, Captain 
B. W. Bocock ; Home Guard, Captain P. T. Withers ; 
Artillery Blues, Lieutenant S. H. Dillon ; Lynchburg 
Rifles, boys' company. Captain John Clark, and Alex- 
andria Light Infantry, Captain Mushback. General 
Lee spoke at the Fair Grounds, and it was estimated 
that ten or fifteen thousand people were present. At 
night a political meeting was held at Moorman's ware- 
house, and General Lee spoke again to the great throng 
of people. 

The Presbyterian Synod met at the Second Presby- 
terian church October 20. Much interest centred in 
this meeting because of the trial of the case of Rev. F. 
P. Ramsey versus The Abingdon Presbytery. The 
presbytery had condemned Mr. Ramsey for teaching 
evolution and saying that Dr. Woodrow's theory was 
not contrary to the Scriptures nor prejudicial to the 
church. Mr. Ramsey appealed on the ground that he 
had been condemned without a trial and thus done a 
personal injury, and that the condemnation of his views 
M^ere unnecessary and hurtful to the church. After a 
full hearing of the case the synod sustained the presby- 
tery in both the positions it had taken. 

A hotel that had witnessed the growth of Lynchburg 
from a small town to a city of considerable size was 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 359 

now about to pass away. The Norvell House was 
closed November 1, and R. S. Terry, the proprietor, 
made arrangements to pull the old building down at 
once to make room for some modern storehouses. 

General Fitzhugh Lee was elected Governor Novem- 
ber 3, and there was great rejoicing, but Lynchburg 
was especially gratified, December 15, when John W. 
Daniel was elected to represent Virginia in the United 
States Senate. In honor of the event the citizens ten- 
dered Major Daniel an elegant banquet at the Norvell- 
Arliugton, December 30. 

The death rate among the well-known citizens was 
larger this year than it had ever been since the war. 
Eev. E. A. Cumpston, at one time pastor of the Second 
Presbyterian church, died January 1, and on the 12th, 
in the forty-ninth year of his age, Aurelius Christian 
died. He succeeded Judge James Garland as common- 
wealth's attorney in 1870 and held the office until his 
death. He was a faithful officer and an honorable 
citizen. The bar attended the funeral in a body, and 
at the February term of court resolutions of regard 
were spread upon the record, and C. M. Blackford, T. 
N. Williams, J. S. Diggs, Thomas Whitehead and W. 
V. Wilson made appropriate and touching remarks. 
March 26, W. C Biggers, a popular young mau, died ; 
April 9, James Matthias, an excellent man ; 1 2tli, J. 
R. Guy; IGth, Middleton Chambers, a prominent to- 
bacconist and a man of high character ; May 5, Isaac 
N. Price, the last of the " night watch," which pre- 
ceded the police ; 20th, William King, the teller of the 



360 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

People's Bank, and a man of integrity; June 8, Sidney 
Guggenheimer, a popular young business man ; July 
17, William P. Percival, an old and well-known citi- 
zen ; 20th, Dr. Frank Spencer, who came here after 
the war and built up a large practice, August 8 the 
venerable Judge James Garland passed away in his 
ninety-fourth year. He was a man of high character, 
and a judge noted for integrity, modesty and great legal 
acquirements. The bell on the court-house tolled on 
the day of the funeral as a mark of respect. At the 
September term of the court E. S. Brown, C. M. Black- 
ford and N. C. Manson, the committee appointed, 
brought in suitable resolutions, which were recorded. 
Many addressed the court upon the life and character 
of Judge Garland, after which Judge Latham adjourned 
the court in honor of the departed jurist. October 3 
John O. Taylor, an old citizen, died ; and on the 18th, 
R. L. Waldron, a good man and leading citizen. De- 
cember 24 a sad accident occurred, when Thomas J. 
Wade went into the room where his dead wife lay, and, 
through mistake, drank carbolic acid, from the effects 
of which he soon died. 

Early in 1886, Rev. Thomas Needham was con- 
ducting a successful revival at the First Baptist church, 
and it was in good time for the severe fight that was 
soon to take place. A petition signed by twelve hun- 
dred and twenty-seven citizens was presented to Judge 
Latham, Marth 13, requesting him to order a Igcal 
option election. At first it could not be determined 
who got up the petition ; the temperance people said 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 361 

they did not, and the liquor people said they did not. 
Afterwards it appeared that the business men were the 
originators of it, in order to have the question settled, 
and done with. There being more than the number of 
signatures necessary. Judge Latham appointed Monday, 
April 26, as the day for the election. 

The contest was just beginning when the Rev. Dr. 
W. T. Hall published an open letter advising that the 
fight be kept out of the churches, that the church as such 
had nothing to do with it, for the Scriptures told us to 
drink wine moderately. This immediately brought 
forth the church people. Dr. John Hannon wrote a 
long reply in which he quoted the Presbyterian church 
against Dr. Hall and in favor of prohibition. Then 
Revs. J. Powell Garland, W. G. Lumpkin and others 
replied. For weeks the papers were well filled with 
articles relating to this letter. During the time Rev. 
Dr. Wharton, a Baptist preacher of Baltimore, spoke 
at the Opera House in favor of local option. 

There was cold water in abundance, April 1, for the 
river was twenty-four feet above low water, but did 
little or no damage. The discussion ceased for a while in 
order that the people might turn their attention to a reli- 
gious meeting which was begun at the Opera House, April 
9, by Moody and Sankey. The crowds that attended 
these services were so large that an overflow meeting 
had to be conducted by Mr. Sankey at Centenary 
church. A profound impression was produced, and at 
the hour of the day service many stores closed to allow 
their employees to attend. The city pastors worked 



3G2 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

faithfully, and during the three days the evangelists 
were here a great work was accomplished. 

This meeting had scarcely closed before the prohibi- 
tion fight was resumed. A large temperance meeting 
was held at the skating rink on Madison street, between 
Fourth and Fifth. Rev. James Rawlings, of the 
Second Presbyterian church, opened with prayer, E. 
S. Brown introduced Senator Colquitt, who made a 
strong address, and he was followed by Honorable John 
E. Massie, whom Colonel Thomas Whitehead intro- 
duced. A great crowd of people were present, and 
enthusiasm seemed to be at flood tide. A few nights 
later a meeting of the colored people was held in the 
same place. Rev. H. A. Carroll, G. E. Stevens and 
Rev. J. H. Taylor, colored, took part. 

Excitement was increasing. April 16, the anti-pro- 
hibitionists held a meeting at the Arlington. W. A. 
Strother was elected chairman and the following com- 
mittee on resolutions was appointed : Dr. Benjamin 
Blackford, L. S. Marye, J. H. Flood, Max Guggen- 
heimer, L. M. Kean, A. W. Talley, W. L. Moorman, 
Dr. E. A. Craighill, R. S. Terry, Joseph Cohn, George 
Watkins and S. M. McCorkle. Nearly every night a 
meeting was held by one side or the other, and some 
nights by both. L. M. Kean, J. H. Flood and W. A. 
Heflfernan spoke at the Opera House for the " wets," 
and April 21, R. T. W. Duke also spoke for them at 
the same place. That night the Business Men's Pro- 
hibition Club met at the Arlington. John P. Petty- 
john called it to order and J. T. Edwards was elected 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 363 

chairman, and R. E. Gish, secretary. W. A. Miller, 
M. H. Payne, N. R. Bowman, E. L. Bell, James Han- 
cock, F. D. Johnson, T. W. Gilliam and C. T. Plunkett 
were appointed a committee on resolutions. At the 
rink Rev. W. H. Brooks and D. N. Yassar, colored, 
addressed a " dry " meeting. Then came the meeting of 
the Local Option State Committee, W. W. Smith chair- 
man. Rev. Dr. J. William Jones opened with prayer. 
R. G. H. Kean spoke against local option at the Opera 
House on the 23d, and the same night the speech was 
reported to the prohibition meeting, and Rev. P. A. 
Peterson replied. The next night Rev. Dr. Hawthorn 
spoke at the rink, and there was unbounded enthusiasm. 
Little attention was paid to anything now but the fight 
on hand. On the street corners, at the hotels, in the 
stores, everywhere men met, there were long and hot 
discussions on the subject, and nearly every one wore 
either the blue badge of the temperance people or the 
red of the other side. The last speeches were on Sun- 
day night ; Bishop A. M. Turner, colored, spoke for 

the " drys " at the rink, and J. H. Rives for the " wets," 

at the Opera House. Monday was the election, and 

there was intense excitement. Many of the women 

met together, and furnished lunches for the temperance 

meeting and others spent the day at the prayer meeting. 

\yhen the vote was counted it stood : 

For License. Ac/ninst. 

First Ward — First precinct 535 297 

Second precinct 356 156 

Second Ward 563 2S9 

Third Ward 833 357 

2,287 1,099 

Total, 3,386 ; majority for license, 1,188. 



364 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The Virginian, Colonel Marye editor, said : " There 
will never be another vote in Lynchburg on the local 
option bill ; the act itself will be swept away." Thus 
closed the first and bitterest fight of the kind ever held 
here. 

Good resulted from the contest, for after the election 
the Liquor Dealers' Association met and resolved to 
amend by obeying the law and stop selling on Sundays, 
to minors, etc. April 30 the anti-prohibitionists met 
at Holcombe Hall to organize for the work of temper- 
ance and to perfect an organization for the wholesome 
and rigorous restriction of the liquor traffic. Major T. 
J. Kirkpatrick addressed the meeting, and then, with- 
out further work, it adjourned sine die. 

Lynchburg had long needed a hospital, so in May 
this need was met when the Marshall Lodge Home and 
Retreat was opened — J. P. Bell, president ; T. D. Davis, 
vice-president ; Dr. C. E. Busey, secretary; T. D. Jen- 
nings, treasurer; and these, with Dr. A. I. Clark, Samuel 
D. Preston, R. T. Craighill, Ed. N. Eubank, R. T. 
Aunspaugh and T. M. McCorkle, constituted the board 
of directors. Mrs. B. B. Cole was matron. The largest 
contribution up to the time was three hundred dollars 
by J. T. Hegetschweiler. 

June 1 all traffic on the Norfolk and Western road 
was stopped and the gauge of the entire road from 
Bristol to Norfolk was changed by one thousand men 
in eight hours. 

This same month the proposition for the road to 
North Carolina began to take definite shape. A good 



LYNCHBUBG AND ITS PEOPLE. 365 

deal of stock had been taken privately, and on the 1 6th 
the question as to whether Lynchburg should subscribe 
to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of the 
stock was submitted to the people and decided in the 
affirmative by a vote of eighteen hundred and seventy- 
three to two hundred and ninety-eight. 

The whole town was much excited over the severe 
shaking it received about 9:30 P. M,, August 31. The 
earthquake was so severe that beds were moved from 
their places, furniture thrown down and bricks shaken 
from the chimneys. The effects here were not serious, 
but in Charleston, S. C, buildings were destroyed, 
great damage done and many people killed. 

A large crowd assembled at the First Baptist church 
September 12 to witness the dedication. Rev. W. R. 
L. Smith was the pastor and Milton Holmes leader of 
the choir. Rev. J. S. Massey read a Scripture lesson, 
and the venerable Dr. Ryland, the first pastor of the 
church on Church street, gave a brief sketch of the 
Baptists from the time he came here, in 1828, until he 
left. Rev. Dr. John A. Broaddus then preached the 
dedicatory sermon from Psalms, 122:1. In the after- 
noon addresses were made by Rev. Drs. Penick and 
Dickerson, and at night Drs. Goodwyn and Hatcher 
spoke. On Monday night Rev. T. M. Carson preached, 
and on Tuesday Rev. W. T. Hall. The Baptists, as 
well as the city at large, had reason to be proud of the 
beautiful building. 

The centennial of Lynchburg was this year, and 
already there had been talk of a suitable celebration. 



366 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The matter took form when a public meeting, presided 
over by Mayor N. C. Mansou, was held at the Opera 
House, September 16, for the purpose of organizing 
the work by the appointment of committees to look 
after the various interests. Great enthusiasm was 
displayed at the meeting, and when the gentlemen 
started out to solicit subscriptions they went to work 
with a vim, and were encouraged by the ready re- 
sponses of the citizens. Nor was Lynchburg alone 
interested in the movement — all of the surrounding 
counties hailed the proposed celebration with delight. 
A centennial fair was decided upon, and October 12 to 
15 was fixed as the time. Among those who took the 
initiative and worked foithfully for the movement were 
John W. Daniel, Dr. E. A. Craighill, Alexander Mc- 
Donald, Charles M. Blackford, Max Guggenheimer, 
Jr., E. J. Folkes, Witt & Watkins and the Tobacco 
Association. Careful preparations were made for a big 
occasion and the matter widely and judiciously adver- 
tised, so that when the opening day arrived the attend- 
ance was far beyond all expectation. The city was 
crowded with visitors, the number of which was esti- 
mated at about twenty-five thousand. Nearly every 
house was tastefully decorated, and across the streets in 
many places were hung banners with words of welcome 
inscribed upon them ; in fact the whole city was in hol- 
iday attire. The first day's exercises were opened with 
prayer by Rev. Dr. John Hannon, and the address of 
the occasion was made by Major John W. Daniel. He 
spoke eloquently of old Lynchburg and then reviewed 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 367 

its present prosperous condition. The second day was 
marked by a great trades parade, and by other inter- 
esting exercises at the Fair Grounds. Captain James 
Barron Hope read the centennial ode, composed by 
him, and Charles W. Button introduced Kev. Dr. O. 
P. Fitzgerald, now bishop, who at one time was a 
Lynchburger, having been a typesetter in the Republican 
office. He made a characteristic address upon '^ The 
Old Boys of Lynchburg," in which he spoke of many 
well-known citizens who were the boys of his day. 
The next day there was a competitive drill, in which 
the Home Guard won the prize, and other features of 
interest. Every one pronounced the centennial a great 
success and the fair one of the best ever held. 

As a sequel to this celebration the centennial oak tree 
was planted at the Fair Grounds November 29, and a 
large number of people were present to witness the 
ceremony. Alexander McDonald made the address, 
and John H. Christian read a poem, written for the 
occasion by Mrs. C. J. M. Jordan, entitled " Planting 
the Centennial Tree." After the tree was placed in the 
ground. Miss Lizzie Button threw in the first shovel of 
dirt and was followed by many others. 

There were two other events in November. The 
election came off and Samuel I. Hopkins was elected to 
Congress over Major Samuel Griffin, the regular Demo- 
cratic nominee. This was a surprise to many, but every 
one had confidence in the integrity and Christian char- 
acter of Mr. Hopkins. The Young Men's Christian 
Association had bought the old Baptist church on Church 



368 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Street, and after remodeling it, had made a beautiful 
home, which was opened November 4. Revs. John 
Hannon, George C. Vanderslice, and T. E. Coulbourne 
took part in the services, and N. C. Manson, mayor, 
and Captain L. L. Marks, of Petersburg, made addresses. 
The building cost seventeen thousand dollars complete, 
much credit for which is due C. A. Licklider, who 
worked hard to raise the full amount necessary. 

Some changes were made in the Methodist churches ; 
Rev." H. C. Cheatham was sent to Centenary ; Rev. 
W. A. Laughon to Danielstown, and Rev. Paul 
Whitehead was made presiding elder. In December, 
the lot corner of Clay and Seventh streets was bought 
for a new Episcopal church, and on the 10th Booker's 
warehouse, on Lynch street, was opened. 

Upon the death roll of this year appear the names 
of many well known citizens, the first being that of 
the venerable Ambrose Page, who had been here 
seventy-six years, having come when but eight years 
old. He died January 2, and then passed away a man 
whose life was nearly co-extensive with the city. On 
the 18th, Rev. Dr. R. B. Thomson died at the residence 
of Mrs. Grace A. Patteson, corner of Eleventh and 
Church streets. He was a learned man and noble 
Christian, and had been pastor of the Methodist Pro- 
testant church here and president of Lynchburg Col- 
lege. May 7, P. Clay Grigsby, a teacher in the public 
schools, and at one time superintendent, died. Major 
John S. Langhorne, Second Virginia Cavalry, and a 
man of strong intellect, passed away August 29. W. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 369 

H. Dudley, a young lawyer, died in Washington Terri- 
tory, September 3, where he had recently gone, and 
his remains were brought here for interment. John 
O. Taylor, a successful grocer, died on the 10th, and on 
the 21st, Rev. Stockton T. Mosby, a young Presby- 
terian minister of decided talent and lovable disposi- 
tion, having just completed his second year at the semi- 
nary, went down to the tomb. He was soon followed 
by three other young men of promise, Edwin P. Bow- 
yer, J. Braxton Leftwich, and Charles C. Goggin. 
There died in October : George Lyman, a well-known 
citizen, the 12th; Henry Sherman, a good man, IGth; 
and on the 27th, George Baber, a Lynchburg boy, was 
burned to death in a hotel at Pocahontas, and a few 
days later his brother, Charles Baber, died from injuries 
received at the same fire. W. C. Burton, an old citi- 
zen, died December 8. 

January, 1887, the city was very much wrought up 
over a case similar to that of Jeter Phillips. T. J. 
Cluverius, after a long trial, had been condemned to be 
hanged in Richmond for the murder of Fannie Lillian 
Madison. The evidence was largely circumstantial, 
and there was some division of opinion as to his guilt. 
He had been once reprieved, and many hoped he would 
be again. When the 14th, the day of execution, arrived, 
large crowds gathered around the bulletin boards to hear 
what the outcome was. There was great excitement, and 
when the news came that he was hanged some felt that 
justice had been meted out, while others were depressed 
by the thought that perhaps an innocent man had died. 



370 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

There were many evidences of Lynchburg's con- 
tinued prosperity : The Glamorgan Works were sold 
for twenty-six thousand dollars, and H. E. McWane, 
who reorganized it, started it on its present prosperous 
career, and before the year was over added a pipe 
foundry to it ; the Nail and Iron Works built a blast 
furnace, and enlarged their plant ; the Lynchburg 
Land and Improvement Company was organized about 
the same time ; the Virginian Company, J. R. Clark, 
president ; Dr. Ben Blackford, vice-president ; E. J. 
Folkes, secretary and treasurer, and Alexander Mc- 
Donald, editor, was organized to succeed Sherman 
Brothers, in publishing the paper ; the Lynchburg, 
Halifax and North Carolina road consolidated with the 
Roxboro and Durham, and formed the Lynchburg and 
Durham road, upon which work was begun in Septem- 
ber ; and a large number of buildings were going up 
within the city. 

The Peabody Normal School, under the management 
of E. C. Glass, superintendent of schools, opened here 
June 22, with a large attendance of teachers. There 
were many items of interest among the churches ; a 
great revival at Memorial, under Rev. Mr. Reney, of 
North Carolina, had resulted in two hundred and 
fifty professions of religion ; Rev. Dr. J. M. Rawlings 
preached his farewell sermon at the Second Presbyte- 
rian church, June 26, before leaving to accept the chap- 
laincy at the University, and was succeeded by Rev. 
R. H. Fleming, who was installed Noverber 27 ; Rev. 
R. R. Acree resigned the pastorate of College Hill 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 371 

Baptist church, and was succeeded November 22 by 
Rev. Calvin G. Jones ; Rev. Dr. John Hannon was 
ordered to San Francisco, and Rev. T. McN. Simpson 
was sent to Memorial in his place ; Rev. Edgar Potts 
was sent to Trinity; and November 10 the Baptist 
General Association met here. 

President Cleveland was expected to attend the fair 
this year, but was prevented. However, Governor Lee 
came and made an address. Shortly after the fair 
closed the papers began to discuss Lynchburg's need of 
a woman's college, but nothing came of it, for the 
right man to undertake the work could not be found. 
The city had always felt proud of its military companies, 
and it was not without reason, for at the laying of the 
corner-stone of the Lee monument in Richmond, Oc- 
tober 28, the Zouaves, a company of young men, attracted 
much attention, and during the riot at Pocahontas, No- 
vember 12, the Governor ordered the Blues and the Fitz 
Lee Troop to quell the disturbance. 

Several times ineifectual efforts had been made to 
establish a cotton mill, but the project was never aban- 
doned. Max Guggenheimer, Jr., still believing that it 
could and ought to be built, began to arouse the people 
on the subject, and soon a large amount of the stock 
was taken, George W. Palmer, J. P. Pettyjohn & Co., 
and S. C. Hurt & Son, each taking ten thousand dol- 
lars' worth. At a meeting of the business men at the 
Young Men's Christian Association, December 21, it 
was announced that stock amounting to one hundred and 
two thousand dollars had been taken and that the mill 



372 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was now assured. This was gratifying news, and the 
city looked for large results from the new industry. 

Year after year the Great Reaper was claiming many 
of our citizens. There died in January : J. O. Wil- 
liams, a good man, and cashier of the People's National 
Bank on the 3d, next day E. B. Estes, an old citizen ; 
and on the 21st, C. S. Bliss, a prominent merchant ; 
April 23, Mrs. Ann M. Saunders, a noble Christian 
woman, in her eighty- fourth year ; and on the 26th, 
John Okey, a good citizen ; May 23, John T. Mur- 
rell, a prominent merchant; and June 10, Edward D. 
Christian, a leading citizen and successful lawyer here 
since '49 ; July 6, Dr. R. H. Lemmon, a young physi- 
cian ; 13th, Edward Nor veil ; 31st, Culvin Ford, and 
August 7, Maurice Moore, two aged and honored cit- 
izens ; September 5, Thomas V. Strange ; October 25, 
James T. Barnett ; November 11, E. A. Button ; De- 
cember 14, William McNamara, an aged Irish citizen ; 
and December 30, John H. Seay, the oldest merchant 
of the city at the time of his death, and an excellent 
man. 

Why should not Lynchburg be a large city? It 
boasts of a healthful situation, an excellent climate, fine 
water power, and good facilities for transportation, four 
railroads centering here. And it seems as if it were on 
the road to better things, for the past year had been one 
of great activity. Besides the enterprises mentioned, a 
chewing-gum factory and pork-packing establishment 
had been started, a belt line chartered, and the whole- 
sale trade was rapidly increasing. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 373 

The time for the election of judge of the hustings 
court had arrived, and A. R. Long, S. G. Wingfield 
and J, S. Diggs were mentioned in connection with it. 
Friends of each one pressed their claims and Mr. Diggs 
was elected. 

February 19 a distinguished visitor. Dr. Young J. 
Allen, an important officer at the Chinese court and a 
successful missionary, spoke at Court Street church. 

Colonel George W. Carter, after his reformation, 
lectured on temperance at the Young Men's Christian 
Association hall; and at the same place, March 14, 
Charles Dickens, son of the novelist, gave a reading 
from his father's works. 

The next month Carter Glass took charge of the 
News as editor and proprietor. 

The spirit of improvement was taken up by 1888 
and carried forward. The city was trying to get a gun 
foundry ; a new pump was to be put in, electric cars 
started, a new union depot had been begun, the public 
building begun in 1885 was completed and turned over 
to the custodian June 15 ; a site for the cotton mill 
near the intersection of the Virginia Midland and the 
Lynchburg and Durham roads had been chosen, and 
the company organized, with G. M. Jones, president ; 
Max Guggenheimer, Jr., vice-president, and J. W. 
Watts, secretary and treasurer. Six acres of ground 
had been secured near the site of the mill for a colored 
Baptist seminary, and July 19 the corner-stone of the 
building was laid. 

Lynchburg was especially interested in the Presiden- 



374 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tial election this year, because with Grover Cleveland, 
Allen G. Thurman, a native Lynchburger, was nomi- 
nated for vice-president, and in the convention Major 
John W. Daniel, in an eloquent speech, seconded the 
nomination. When the news of the nomination reached 
here a salute was fired, and bandanna handkerchiefs 
were displayed on all sides. 

At the fair this year General W. H. F. Lee made 
the address, and on the night of October 4, a Con- 
federate reunion was held at Moorman's warehouse. 
It was estimated that seven hundred veterans were 
present. Several speeches were made, and a poem, 
written for the occasion by Mrs. C. J. M. Jordan, was 
read, after which a bountiful supper furnished by the 
ladies was served. This was the last gathering at the 
warehouse, for November 1 it burned up with several 
other buildings, making a loss of fifty thousand dollars, 
the largest fire since the one of 1883. 

The election came off, and Lynchburg had high hope 
of again seeing a Democratic President, but was disap- 
pointed, for Harrison and Morton, the Republicans, 
were elected. Paul Edmunds was elected to Congress 
from this district. 

The churches were as active as ever. The venerable 
Dr. Leonidas Rosser was holding a meeting at Court 
Street when, on September 1 7, as the congregation arose 
to sing, W. S. Hughes died in the church. October 7 
the Diamond Hill Baptist church, colored, was dedi- 
cated. Rev. R. G. Pearson was holding a successful 
meeting at the First Presbyterian church, and the 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 375 

crowd was so large that November 13 it was moved to 
the First Baptist church. Bethesda Presbyterian 
chapel was dedicated December 9 by Rev. Dr. W. T. 
Hall ; and the same month Rev. Dr. John E. Edwards 
was sent to Court Street, Rev. G. H. Wiley to Trinity 
and Rev. W. S. Boggs to Danielstow^n. 

The death list this year was long. February 1, 
Thomas N. Peak, an excellent young man, died ; the 
2d, John J. Mays ; 18th, Judge Gustavus A. Wiugfield, 
for sixteen years the judge of the Lynchburg district ; 
28th, J. P. Bell, Jr., a bright young man ; April 15, J. 
Newton Gordon, a prominent lawyer, and on the same 
day. Captain Samuel D. Preston, for eighteen years 
clerk of the court here — both men of culture and piety; 
May 14, Ammon G. Hancock, one of Lynchburg's old- 
est and best citizens ; June 16, R. F. Henning, another 
excellent man ; June 17, George O'Brien, and July 19, 
Dr. E. G. Vaughan ; 22d, Thomas Kyle ; October 22, 
Stiles Goggin ; 26th, R. J. Ivey; November 13, S. L. 
Moorman, a prominent tobacconist ; 20th, D. B. Payne, 
a good and useful citizen, and 23d, L. E. Stratton was 
killed on the Virginia Midland road ; December 12, 
John T. Davis, an old citizen, a prominent merchant 
until his retirement, and a straightforward man. 

The year 1889 was the real beginning of the boom 
in Lynchburg. January 4 the business men of the city 
held a meeting at the Opera House to organize, so afi 
to forward industrial enterprises. N. C. Manson, 
Mayor, was chairman, and R. H. Glass, Jr., secretary; C. 
M.' Blackford, W. A. Heffernan, J. W. Daniel, John 



376 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Clark and W. H. Payne spoke. There was great en- 
thusiasm, and it was decided to take steps at once to 
establish zinc works here, much stock being taken that 
night. Another large meeting was held at the same 
place on the 10th, and the Lynchburg Land and Im- 
provement Company was organized and eight thousand 
and ninety-three shares of stock taken. The company 
secured option upon eight hundred acres of land west 
of Lynchburg and work was soon to begin. Following 
this was the Lynchburg Improvement and Manufac- 
turing Company, R. L. Miller president, with a capital 
stock of one hundred thousand dollars. Then came the 
White Lead and Color Company, J. W. Faulkner 
president, and the Investment and Loan Company, A. 
W. Butler president. Besides the zinc works there 
were to be paint works, a knitting mill, a silk factory, 
a glove factory, a woolen mill, a car plant for which 
one hundred and eighty-three thousand dollars was 
subscribed, a brass foundry and a paper mill. 

Surely these were stirring times, and any kind of 
factory could be started if only one could think of one 
not already projected. Lynchburg was to be the Pitts- 
burg of the South, and in three years was to have one 
hundred thousand inhabitants. Those who dared to 
doubt were subjected to severe criticism and were called 
" old fogies." Of course wealth and population would 
pour into the Hill City and the greatest expectations 
would be realized. Already the West Lynchburg Land 
Company, John D. Holt president, had secured an 
engine and boiler works from Williamsport, Pa., and 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 377 

in the summer they began to prepare for the crowd by 
layino; off streets and avenues through their property, 
as did the South Lynchburg Company. 

Even the churches caught the progressive spirit. 
The First Presbyterian church contemplated a new 
building, and May 9 ground was broken for new St. 
Paul's on Clay street. The Methodist Protestant Con- 
ference was here April 3, and May 15 the Episcopal 
Council. Rev. F. F. Bullard succeeded Rev. E. L. 
Waldrop as pastor of the Christian church. The Chase 
farm was purchased by Rev. Dr. Jaeger, May 30, for 
a colored orphan asylum and industrial school, which 
was chartered in 1890 ; E. J. Folkes, president, and 
Dr. G. R. Lewis, vice-president. 

The Home and Retreat was in great need of help, 
and there was talk of closing it if the money was not 
forthcoming. 

Some time back Lynchburg had tried to get the 
Western Lunatic Asylum here. About this time it 
sent to it one of its leading physicians, Dr. Ben Black- 
ford, who had been elected superintendent. 

The latter part of May it began to rain, and contin- 
ued from day to day until June 1 there was a large 
freshet in the river, and much damage was done, espe- 
cially to the Richmond and Alleghany road. 

The same day news of the awful flood at Johnstown, 
Pa., was received, and the whole community was 
shocked at the fearful loss of life and the great destruc- 
tion of property. Lynchburg wanted to give expres- 
sion to its sympathy, so a meeting was called at the 



378 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Young Men's Christian Association hall June 7 to 
raise money for the sufferers. 

This was a very wet summer; nearly every day it 
rained, and as a result there were many disasters. 
Great sadness was produced July 30 by the report of 
another calamity, and one near home. The early morn- 
ing train on the Norfolk and Western road had left 
Thaxton's and was coming east. When it had gone 
about a half mile over a track partly covered with 
water it suddenly plunged into a washout and went 
down twenty-five feet. The culvert was washed away 
and the track undermined. More than thirty were 
killed, and before their bodies could be rescued the 
wreck took fire and they were burned up. Patrick 
Donovan and John Kirkpatrick, two citizens of Lynch- 
burg, were among the killed, and others injured. 
Among those seriously hurt was Bishop A. W. Wilson. 
This was the most disastrous wreck on the road since it 
was built. 

The heroic deed of a Lynchburg young man is 
worthy of mention here. A mine near Cumberland, 
Md., was flooded in August and forty-five men were 
imperiled. Gilbert C. Meem, a grandson of John G. 
Meem, at the risk of his own life, went into the mine 
and rescued the men. 

Another successful normal school was held at the 
Bigger's building in June, three hundred and sixty 
teachers being present. But preparation was being 
made for the great meeting of the year at Pace's ware- 
house. Rev. Sam Jones, the well-known evangelist, and 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 379 

his helper, Rev. Mr. Culpeper, were to coucluct a ten days 
meeting here, beginning October 19. Mr. Jones had 
already created a great sensation, and when he held his 
first service an immense crowd was present. Revs. 
H. C. Cheatham, W. T. Hall and W. R. L. Smith con- 
ducted the preliminary service. At every service the 
building was crowded, and sometimes thousands who 
could not gain entrance were turned away. The whole 
city was stirred and hundreds pledged themselves to 
lead a new life, among them some of the most ungodly 
people of the place. Among other good results of the 
meeting, the debt on the Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation building was provided for, and the people were 
aroused to undertake the suppression of the liquor 
traffic. A meeting for local option was held at the 
Young Men's Christian Association, November 11 ; 
John P. Pettyjohn called it to order, and Captain 
Stephen Adams was made chairman. Judge Diggs, 
C. W. Button and others spoke, and the following ex- 
ecutive committee was appointed : James Hancock, 
M. H. Payne, W. F. Matthews, James I. Lee and W. 
A. Ford. 

The liquor men began to organize, and another hot 
fight was imminent. A petition for a local option elec- 
tion was gotten up and presented to Judge Diggs. As 
soon as it was handed in, it was challenged, R. G. H. 
Kean appearing for the " wets," and Captiiin Stephen 
Adams and John H. Christian for the " drys." The 
Judge decided that the petition must be amended, and 
handed it back. After a short while the necessary 



380 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

amendments were made, and the election was ordered 
for January 14, 1890. 

The fight began in earnest when a large local option 
meeting was held at the Opera House, December 28. 
John P. Pettyjohn was chairman ; Rev. H. C. Cheat- 
ham opened with prayer, and Captain Stephen Adams 
and T. N. Williams made the addresses. This was 
followed by another meeting at the same place on the 
30th, addressed by Hon. John E. Massie. 

Other things were happening. Dr. W. R. L. Smith 
had accepted a call to Nashville, much to the sorrow of 
the community, and Rev. Dr. Henry McDonald had 
been called to succeed him. Rev. G. H. Wiley and F. 
M. Threadgill opened a night school on Twelfth street, 
which proved a great help to the poor boys who had to 
work during the day, and who but for this would have 
been denied an education. The DeMolay Commandery 
gave a banquet at the Norvell-Arlington, and General 
N. M. Curtis, the military officer here just after the 
war, was among the invited guests. 

Ex-President Jefferson Davis died December 7, and 
on the 11th, a public meeting in honor of his memory 
was held at the Opera House ; N. C. Manson, mayor, 
presided, Rev. R. H. Fleming opened with prayer, and 
addresses on the life and character of the great man 
were made by Rev. Dr. John E. Edwards, Rev. Dr. W. 
T. Hall, W. W. Larkin, and Colonel L. S. Marye. On 
the day of the funeral, business was suspended, the 
bells tolled from twelve to one, and the artillery fired 
a solute. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 381 

The deaths this year were : January 7, D. C. Guy; 
12th, Dr. George T. Latham, a promising young phy- 
sician ; 31st, John W. Holt, long proprietor of the 
Norvell House ; February 7, A. W. Carter ; March 27, 
W. D. R. Tyree ; April 23, T. H. Simpson ; May 31, 
Charles W. Statham, leading tobacconist ; August 5, C. 
J. Sehorn, a young lawyer ; 10th, W. T. Yancey, a 
leading lawyer when Garland, Mosby and Dabney Avere 
in their prime ; 24th, John G. Christian, and Septem- 
ber 8, George C. Hutter, two young men ; October 23, 
S. R. Dawson, and 25th, J. J. Scott, two well-known 
business men; November 14, S. M. Rose, and Decem- 
ber 3, Captain W. L. Luckett. 



CHAPTER XII. 

" "Wet or dry " was the question of greatest interest 
in Lynchburg at this time. Both sides were fighting 
hard for the victory, but there was not as much bitter- 
ness as there had been in the previous fight. The local 
option people secured the Opera House for their speakers, 
Rev. George W. Carter and Colonel Cheves, while the 
license people were addressed by William A. Heffernan 
and Major Thomas J. Kirkpatrick, at the old armory 
on Madison street. Each side was giving blow for 
blow, and when, on January 9, the " drys " had a torch- 
light procession, and a great meeting at the Opera 
House, the same night, the " wets " also had a parade 
and a meeting at the armory. In nearly every issue of 
the newspapers, columns were devoted to the discussion ; 
the street corners had been turned into a forum ; in al- 
most every office and store you could hear a debate, 
and even the homes were not free from it, for it was 
often the case that a house was divided against itself. 
This was kept up until the day of the contest ; and such 
a day it was ! The women held all-day prayer meet- 
ings, and furnished lunches for the temperance workers, 
and many of the men left their business and spent the 
day at the polls. Nearly every one wore a blue or red 
badge, and earnestly championed his cause. All day 
the printing presses were kept busy getting out hand- 
bills telling the people that this side and then that was 



LiTJSCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 383 

sure of victory if they would only vote in time. Then 
"would come a dodger making some statement, and one 
from the other side denying it. As evening came on 
the workers did their best to get in every vote, and 
when the polls closed both sides claimed the victory. 
The official count gave this result : 

Agaiiist License. For License. 

First Ward— First precinct 468 413 

Second precinct 200 260 

Second Ward 414 431 

Third Ward— First precinct 314 277 

Second precinct . . 306 328 

1702 1709 

A majority of seven was given for license. The 
act Avas not wiped out, as the Virginian predicted, and 
Lynchburg did have another election. 

About this time another thing made its appearance 
in Lynchburg, and interested as many people as the 
local option election. It took with the " wets " and the 
" drys," the rich and the poor, the old and the young, 
and its eifects were lasting. This was the first epidemic 
of la grippe that ever visited the city. Where had it 
been all these years ? Why did it strike the country 
so suddenly ? Was it catching ? These and hundreds 
of other questions were asked about it ; but all were 
satisfied that it was here, and it seemed to have come 
to stay. 

Lynchburg's business Avas rapidly increasing; the 
figures for the year ending December, 1899, showed that 
the wholesale business had reached five millions, three 



384 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

hundred and seventy-two thousand, against three mil- 
lions and four hundred thousand in 1885. The Board of 
Trade was active in trying to promote the city's welfare 
and increase its population, which this year was nine- 
teen thousand, seven hundred and twenty-five. To 
introduce the merchants along the Lynchburg and Dur- 
ham road in the city, the Board gave them a banquet 
at the Opera House. About two hundred were present, 
and the occasion was one of pleasure and profit. This 
was pre-eminently the year of booms and the Hill City 
was receiving its share. A street railway to the Pres- 
byterian cemetery was proposed, and a bridge from 
Federal to Diamond Hills, across Harrison street. The 
Lynchburg and Southwestern Development Company 
was chartered, and the West Lynchburg Land Com- 
pany, with an authorized capital of a million dollars, 
W. W. Flanagan, president, was actively at work. It 
was announced that the Midland Virginia Steel and 
Iron Company was to locate here, sewing machine 
works were to be established, and other industries were 
begging to come. It looked as if Lynchburg was to 
be the manufacturing centre of the United States, from 
the enterprises that were being started. Already there 
were one hundred and eighty-two manufactories, and 
over four thousand operatives, and the hundred and fifty 
thousand dollar car-works was expected to be in opera- 
tion before long. 

Some were determined that the city should not alto- 
gether take Horace Greeley's advice to " Go West ; " so 
the North Lynchburg improvement scheme, afterwards 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 385 

known as the Rivermont Company, was organized, with 
a miUion dollars capital. The land was to be con- 
nected with the city by a bridge from the head of ISIain 
street across Blackwater creek, and a street-car line 
was to run through the whole addition. This "vvas 
organized April 19, and on the 27th the Park Avenue 
Land Company, with J. B. Winfree president, was 
started. This company secured a shoe factory, and 
expected soon to start a paper mill. Following this 
came the East Lynchburg and James River Land and 
Improvement Company; and, in view of the city's 
anticipated rapid growth, there must be a new hotel. 
It was proposed to build it at the corner of Ninth and 
Jefferson streets, but this place was not thought suit- 
able, so eighty thousand dollars was subscribed towards 
building a one hundred and fifty thousand dollar hotel 
on Main street. The new Union depot was completed 
April 21, and a large crowd of people assembled to see 
the first train come in. It was a memorable occasion, 
for the old depot was a disgrace to the city. 

If Lynchburg had been slow and conservative in 
the days gone by, it had gloriously recovered from it. 
Every one except a few croakers seemed to see a future 
metropolis in the modest town. The Xews, in its com- 
mercial issue of May 24, showed what the city had done 
and boasted of what it would do in a few years, not- 
withstanding the doubters who seemed as if they would 
stop the wheels of progress, by asking where the people 
and the capital for these additions were to come from. 

There were a few other things at this time besides 



386 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the boom that are worthy of notice. The Australian 
ballot system was used at the spring primary in nom- 
inating, R. D. Yancey, mayor ; Frank P. Christian 
commonwealth's attorney ; W. H. Snead, commissioner 
of revenue ; S. H. Johnson, city sergeant ; and W. E. 
Callahan, high constable. The Massachusetts Press 
Association visited the city May 16. The citizens gave 
them a royal reception at the Opera House, and per- 
haps induced them to buy a few town lots before they 
left. Already English capitalists had bought five hun- 
dred in West Lynchburg. The Home Guard, Captain 
E. A. Biggers, the Zouaves, Captain R. E. Craighill, a 
large number of veterans and many other citizens left 
to attend the unveiling of the Lee monument at Rich- 
mond, May 29. Rev. J. S. Felix was installed pastor 
of the First Baptist church, March 2, and Rev. W. T. 
"Walker pastor of the Third Presbyterian, June 15. 
The Lynchburg and Durham road was completed to 
Durham July 19, and one month later the first passenger 
train went through from here. Sam Jones came to 
Lynchburg again September 12, and held another ten 
days meeting at Pace's warehouse ; great crowds attended 
and much good was done. 

The old Cabell House, on Main street, near Tenth, 
and several other buildings burned September 14. A 
few days afterward General Early was in one of the 
damaged buildings when it suddenly collapsed. The 
news soon spread that he was killed, and men were put 
to work to remove the debris and recover the body. 
When the bricks and timbers had been taken away, to 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 387 

the amazement of all, the old General was alive, having 
escaped serious injury. The floor had caught in some 
way and protected him. 

Onward the boom quickly moved. The Rivermont 
Company, C. M. Blackford president, seemed to be in 
a flourishing condition ; two hundred and nineteen 
thousand dollars worth of the stock had been taken, 
and seventy-five thousand dollars had been set aside 
for the new bridge, the contract for which was let June 
17. A proposition was made to build an electric road 
up Ninth street, and thence to Diamond Hill. This 
was not carried out, but despite much opposition a 
charter was granted for an electric road from the Pres- 
byterian cemetery across Diamond Hill to the corner 
of Main and Fifth streets. 

The fair this year was called the boom fair. A 
large number of excursions had been run from here to 
Salem, Roanoke, Buchanan and other places, to give 
our people an opportunity to attend the sales of lots, 
and now the compliment was returned and several 
excursions were run to Lynchburg, Many came and 
invested all they had and more besides in town lots, 
paying from five hundred to five thousand dollars for a 
lot in an old field, but which on the plat was in a large 
city. Notes were given for the deferred payments, but 
what did that matter ? Every one hoped to sell at a 
large advance before the first note came due. Within 
two weeks more than a million dollars was invested in 
Virginia in these town lots. 

Nearly all kinds of industries had been proposed by 



388 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the different land companies, but no one had thought of 
educational institutions. Dr. W. AV. Smith was here 
in interest of Bedford City Academy, when he met 
George M. Jones on the street car, who asked him why 
he did not try to establish a woman's college here. 
The papers had already spoken of it several years ago. 
Dr. Smith took the matter under advisement and soon 
worked out in his own mind the plan of a college for 
Lynchburg, to be the Vassar of the South. He made 
the proposition to several laud companies that he would 
raise an hundred thousand dollars endowment and put 
the college on the property of the company if it would 
give the site and an hundred thousand dollars for build- 
ings. November 12, the Ri Vermont Company accepted 
the proposition, and the site for the college was settled 
upon. Conference met here the same day, Bishop Har- 
grove presiding, and Dr. Smith laid before the minis- 
ters his plans for Randolph-Macon Woman's College. 
His efforts Avere approved, and he immediately set to 
work to raise the endowment. After three months of 
earnest work he raised, among the Lynchburg people, 
the hundred thousand dollars, and announced that the 
college was secured. Lynchburg and the Methodists 
of the State rejoiced at this great achievement. W. 
M. Poindexter, of Washington drew the plans for the 
building, and work was soon begun. 

Conference made a good many changes among the 
Methodist pastors here. Rev. H. C. Cheatham, of 
Centenary, was succeeded by Rev. Dr. S. S. Lambeth, 
and Rev. James A. Duncan succeeded Rev. T. McN. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 389 

Simpson at Memorial ; Rev. J. L. Bray was sent to 
Trinity ; Rev. G. H, Wiley made city missionary, and 
Rev. J. Powell Garland, presiding elder. 

There were some people who had said from the first 
tliat the boom was commercially, if not morally wrong, 
and could not last. This number was now rapidly 
increasing, and many investors and lenders were 
getting afraid. The scare reached Wall street and 
prices took a tumble. The large banking house of 
Baring Brothers became embarassed and went into 
liquidation. This caused many to lose confidence, and 
failures and losses became frequent, for a time of such 
unheard-of prosperity. The effects did not reach 
Lynchburg at once, and it went on trying to make the 
best of the situation. The Rivermont Bank was pro- 
posed November 27, but was never established. The 
people who held land company stocks and town lots 
were willing to sell at par, and that without a great deal 
of begging. Thus closed one of the most remarkable 
years in the city's history. 

The citizens who had passed away this year were : 
Moses Lacy, in his eighty-second year, January 22, and 
Stephen G. Morgan, another old gentleman, the 25th 
February 1st, Hugh G. Meem, the hero of the mine 
13th, Martin L. Coman ; April 21, W. Hays Otey 
May 31, W. L. Page; June 18, Joel W. Jennings 
July 21, A. L. Sutphin; 28th, M. L. Stuart ; September 
11, Richard J. Payne, October 18, R. Wellford Bell ; 
November 12, David Oglesby, and 22d, A. S. Engle- 
dove — two old citizens; December 1, Frank C. John- 



390 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

son, a bright and loveable young man, who was pre- 
paring for the Baptist ministry. 

The uneasiness felt at the close of last year was now 
increasing, and 1891 was destined to see the passing of 
the boom. Failures became frequent and money was 
getting scarce. The work of building had not stopped, 
for most of it was already under contract. The West 
Lynchburg hotel was under roof, and besides there were 
one hundred and thirty-four buildings being erected in 
the city. The council endeavored to meet the long-felt 
want for a city hall, by buying in February the Friends' 
warehouse property for the purpose. 

The city was called upon to mourn the death of one 
of its leading ministers March 31. Rev. Dr. John E. 
Edwards, the pastor of Court Street church, had been 
in failing health for some time, and on this day died. 
Dr. Edwards was one of the leading ministers in his 
church, having been engaged in this work since 1834. 
His funeral services were conducted at Court Street 
church by Bishop Granbery, assisted by Revs. Drs. J. P. 
Garland, S. S. Lamberth, W. H. Hall and J. S. Felix. 
The church was draped in mourning, and a large con- 
gregation bore testimony to the esteem in which the be- 
loved pastor was held. The remains were carried to 
Richmond for interment, and were accompanied by a 
delegation from the board of stewards of Court Street. 
Dr. George W. Carter succeeded Dr. Edwards as pas- 
tor until the next meeting of Conference. 

Ri Vermont Day was April 17, and it was a time of 
great rejoicing. At 3 P. M., the new bridge from Main 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 391 

street was formally opened to the public. This was 
heralded by the booming of cannons, the shriek of 
steam whistles, and loud cheers from the crowd. The 
officers of the company first went over, and they were 
followed by the large crowd of people. The bridge 
was suggested by Colonel Thomas Whitehead, and the 
idea taken up by Major E. S. Hutter, who was largely 
instrumental in organizing the Rivermont Company. 
At night a banquet was given at the Opera House in 
honor of the occasion, and many prominent visitors and 
citizens attended. 

Following this celebration, May 2, the electric cars 
on the West Lynchburg road were started. The first 
car carried the officers of the road, and attracted much 
attention, especially among those who had never seen 
an electric car. Large crowds gathered along the route 
and looked on with delight and amazement. Who 
would have thought ten years ago of electric cars run- 
ning up the hills of Lynchburg ? A few days after this 
the hotel at West Lynchburg was completed. The 
Rivermont road from Fifth street to the Park was not 
opened until August. 

There were some interesting facts in regard to the 
churches this year. The Episcopal Council met here 
April 22, and May 26 Bishop A. M. Randolph laid 
the corner-stone of the new St. Paul's church. In June 
Memorial church was enlarged, and the Methodist 
Protestants bought a lot on Fifth street for a new 
church. Rev. John Jasper, colored, delivered his cel- 
ebrated lecture on " De Sun Do ]Move," at Court Street 



392 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Baptist church. Rev. J. A. McMurray was installed 
pastor of West End Presbyterian church August 30, 
and on October 18 Rev. T. M. McCorkle pastor of 
Third Presbyterian church. In November Rev. W. 
H. Atwill was sent to Centenary, Rev. E. M. Peterson 
to Memorial, Rev. L. B. Betty to Court Street, Rev. 
W. J. Hubbard to Trinity, Rev. J. W. Clark to Dan- 
ielstown, and Rev. Jacob Manning was made city 
missionary. 

The State Medical Conference met here in October, 
Dr. H. G. Latham president ; and the same month the 
fair was held, and the negroes also held a fair at Pace's 
warehouse. 

Alexander McDonald was elected to represent the 
city in the State Senate in November, and the 24th of 
the same month a large mass-meeting was held to 
endorse the Olcott plan for paying the State debt. 

An enjoyable social event was that of December 8, 
when Thomas Nelson Page, the Virginia author, gave 
a reading from his works at the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association hall. 

The death list this year is : Little Jerry Sullivan, 
killed by an electric wire, January 2 ; James Allen, 
superintendent of the water works, died the 27th ; W. 
H. Ford, February 15 ; Thomas C. Wray, an esteemed 
citizen, March 13 ; Philip Payne, a good man. May 
29 ; Samuel Boyd, the veteran confectioner, June 16, 
and the same day Lawrence Snead was drowned ; July 
1, Judge David Spence, a prominent citizen, and Dr. 
Paul Berger ; 3d, John W. Wyatt, a teacher in the 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 393 

High School ; 4th, Milton Holmes, and 30th, Charles 
G. Jones, an old citizen, and Captain A. H. Pettigrew, 
mayor for four years ; August 6, Hon. Thomas S. Bo- 
cock, and 1 1th, Judge J. AV. Breathed ; October 7, 
Samuel Patteson ; November 5, B. F. Wood; 12th, 
Christopher Winfree, Jr., and 13th, Dr. D. E. Bass, a 
much beloved physician and an esteemed citizen ; the 
same day John William Murrell, an old citizen, was 
buried from St. Paul's ; December 21, Martin O'Meara, 
an old and honored Irish citizen, died. 

In the past two years Lynchburg had made wonder- 
ful improvement, but not being of a substantial nature, 
the time had come when much of it was to pass away, 
and 1892 was to witness it. The boom had about 
spent itself, and hard times, that familiar friend of 
other days, had arrived. Many found themselves 
ruined, and were willing to give up their holdings to 
be released from the notes for the deferred payments ; 
but this was not done, and nothing was left except fail- 
ure and assignment. But worse than that, not a few 
who were in positions of trust used money that did not 
belong to them, hoping to make more and replace it, 
and, having failed, their defalcations and embezzle- 
ments were coming to light. It was a sad state of 
affairs, and the worst Avas not yet. 

A mission was started at Odd Fellow's Hall, Sun- 
day afternoon, by Rev. George W. Carter, and large 
crowds attended. The people at Court Street wanted 
to retain him as pastor, and failing in this they took 
this opportunity to hear him preach. The Episcopal 



394 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Council met here in January, and in May New Hope, 
a union clmrch in Dearington, was built through the 
efforts of Rev. S. J. Liggan and J. D. Evans. Rev. 
T. E. Coulbourne was elected corresponding secretary 
of the Foreig^n Mission Board of the Methodist Pro- 
testant Church, and his pulpit from July to November 
was filled by Rev. W. Asbury Christian. George F. 
Tibbitts succeeded W. F. McCaughey as secretary of 
the Young Men's Christian Association. Towards the 
close of the year Rev. George C. Needham held a suc- 
cessful meeting at the First Baptist church, and Rev. 
George E. Truett was called to College Hill Baptist 
church to succeed Rev. C. G. Jones. 

There was a fearful accident June 29, at the place 
where the Second Presbyterian church once stood. 
The building was being repaired, when it suddenly fell, 
crushing to death J. H. C. Winston, a good man and a 
well-known citizen, and John Adams and Lee Franklin, 
two colored workmen, besides injuring others. Another 
exciting affair occurred Sunday, August 17. A large 
crowd was gathered on Main street, near Eleventh, in 
front of Shaefer & Roberts' hardware store. They were 
looking for a man. Saturday evening a burglar went into 
the hardware store, and secreted himself in order to 
rob Johnson's jewelry store, next door. Sunday he 
started to work, boring through the wall, as he thought, 
of the store he wanted to rob, but he missed his bear- 
ing, as the upper portion of Johnson's building was 
used by Shaefer & Roberts, and bored into Mrs. Fisher's 
house. Just as the bit came through, W. P. Rocke- 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 395 

charlie was passing along the hall. He gave the alarm, 
and soon the police had the building surrounded. The 
whole building was carefully searched and nothing of 
the burglar was seen. About evening, Officer Tyree 
caught him hid in a sub-cellar. He was carried to jail, 
and gave his name as Frank Cole. The trial came off 
and the bold burglar was sent to the penitentiary. 

The colored people were trying to make some pro- 
gress, so this year they held another agricultural and 
industrial fair in Rivermont, October 14. On the 20th 
the corner-stone of the Virginia College and Industrial 
Institute, Morgan College annex, a colored school, was 
laid. Rev. T. M. Carson, Judge J. S. Diggs, Frank 
P. Christian and Dr. F. S. Wagner, of Morgan College, 
Baltimore, spoke. 

The regular fair began October 25. Two events are 
worthy of notice. The public gambling carried on for 
so many years was broken up by a number of citizens. 
On the 27th Senator David B. Hill w^as present. The 
city was decorated, cannons boomed, and a large crowd 
greeted him. At night he spoke to a vast assembly of 
citizens at Friends' warehouse, in advocacy of Cleve- 
land for President, against Harrison. Cleveland and 
Stevenson were elected November 8, and on the 17th 
Lynchburg celebrated it by a magnificent display of 
fireworks, and a great torch-light procession. 

This year the deaths were numerous, and especially 
among the old citizens. Daniel Collins, an old and re- 
spected Irish citizen, died January 21 ; Charles H. 
Pointer, another old citizen, a drummer in the Seminole 



396 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

"VVar, and a Confederate soldier, the 29th ; February 6 
little Mamie Ewers was crushed to death by an electric 
car ; 10th, George A. Burks passed away, in his seventy- 
eighth year, and on the 15th Dr. W. O. Owen. He 
was born here in 1820, and had succeeded his father 
in the practice of medicine. He was a great surgeon, 
a beloved physician, and a Virginia gentleman. A 
large crowd attended his funeral at St. Paul's, as a mark 
of the esteem in which he was held. February 24, T. 
S. Wilkins; March 12, W. R. Franklin; 23d, J. M. 
Wood, and 31st, Humphrey Dabney, a young man, 
died; April 1, Dr. Thomas L. Walker, another lead- 
ing physician, a Christian gentleman and a knightly 
man, and on the 2 2d, Abner W. Strange, a useful citi- 
zen, for twenty years connected with the News as busi- 
ness manager; May 10, W. R. Gannaway, and 25th, 
W. R. Johnson, old citizens; 31st, Stephen T. Wood, 
a good man, and June 5, Thomas E. Murrell, another 
good man and a prominet and public spirited citizen. 
August 1, W. A. Strother died suddenly. He had 
been in the drug business here for a long time, and 
was one of our most highly esteemed business men, a 
fine citizen and accomplished gentlemen. August 7, 
R. S. Dawson, another upright citizen, died, and 12th, 
Henry F. Bocock, in his seventy-fourth year, a lawyer 
here for a long time ; August 13, AV. G. Christian, and 
28th, Thomas H. Flood, two young citizens ; September 
20, F. M. Dunnington ; 21st, John T. Smith, and 29th, 
Dr. L. G. Lee, old citizens and highly respected men. 
October 26, William McLaughlin ; November 4, Cap- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 397 

tain Samuel B. Thurman, and 1 6th, James Boyd, three 
more of our old and honored men ; November 17, 
Paulus Powell Glass, a young man of noble character ; 
December 7, L. G. Brown, and the 31st, Captain J. J. 
Dillard, another of the old and highly respected citizens. 

The new year of 1893 did not find much change in 
the condition of affairs, unless they were worse ; for in ad- 
dition to the hard times this was the hardest winter 
known to this generation. The ground was frozen ten 
inches below the surface, many of the water mains in 
the streets were frozen solid, and for weeks and weeks 
the ground was covered with snow. There was a great 
deal of suffering among the poor. The Virginia Nail 
and Iron Works went into the hands of a receiver, 
later the Rivermont Company assigned, and individual 
failures were frequent. In spite of the depressing con- 
ditions, some building was going on. The Chesapeake 
and Ohio railroad had finished a handsome new freight 
depot. The Carroll hotel was building, and the First 
Presbyterian congregation let the contract for building 
a new church to Adams & Woodson at twenty-four 
thousand and seven hundred dollars, but subsequently 
withdrew it. Centenary church planned for an exten- 
sive improvement, and let the contract to W. B. Snead 
& Co., at twelve thousand dollars. 

When the time of the second inauguration of Grover 
Cleveland came the Home Guard, the Artillery, and 
many private citizens, attended, and a large number of 
them were made ill, the weather being the coldest and 
most disagreeable ever known on such an occasion. 



398 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mr. Cleveland soon honored Lynchburg by appointing 
Alexander McDonald, who had been editor of the Vir- 
j/^ gmian until that paper was consolidated with the News, 
minister to Persia. 

The secretary of the Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation, George F. Tibbetts, resigned in February, and 
Harry Snead succeeded him. Rev. S. R. Murray was 
sent to the Methodist Protestant church in April, and 
Rev. J. J. Lloyd succeeded Rev. J. H. Williams at 
Grace church. 

Lynchburg was represented on all important occa- 
sions, both State and National. At the reinterment of 
Jefferson Davis at Richmond the Zouaves were in line, 
and when the World's Fair at Chicago opened in May, 
notwithstanding the hard times, many Lynchburgers 
went. The News offered a free trip to the two most 
popular pastors. Many were voted for, but Rev. Dr. 
W. T. Hall and Rev. J. J. McGurk won the contest. 

It was thought that so many going to the Fair and 
spending so much money away from home had added 
some to the stringency of the money market here, 
although Comptroller Eckels declared that the boom 
had been the cause of the present conditions through- 
out the country. The worst of the financial troubles 
did not come until August, when currency became so 
scarce that the banks would not pay over fifty dollars 
in cash, and gave certified checks for the balance. The 
money famine was so great that it was almost impossi- 
ble to get money to pay off hands — in fact, many had 
to be paid in scrip. Now the people were experiencing 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 399 

the evils of the boom, and many questioned whether 
the war had done a great deal more injury to the busi- 
ness of the South especially, than this ill-conceived 
movement. Everything seemed flat. An attempt was 
made to organize a home insurance company, but it 
failed. The Lynchburg banks, however, as in other 
panics, stood the stress ; not one went under. 

Another movement was made this summer that had 
a depressing effect. Lynchburg had subscribed two 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the Lynchburg 
and Durham road, and many individual citizens had 
taken stock. It was now leased to the Norfolk and 
Western road, and that company immediately moved 
the extensive shops from here and closed the engine- 
house near Durmid. When the city subscribes to 
another road, it should be upon condition that the shops 
and offices shall remain here, or the amount of sub- 
scription be forfeited. Besides this, the railroads and 
other large companies were trying to cut down ex- 
penses, and were discharging a good many employees. 
Everywhere the hard times seemed to pinch. 

One permanent good had come from the boom, if no 
more : the Randolph-Macon Woman's College had been (^ 

erected, and on September 14 it opened for the recep- 
tion of students, with the following faculty: W. W. 
Smith, LL. D., president ; R. H. Sharp, Jr., M. A., 
ancient languages ; J. L. Armstrong, English and Ger- 
man ; F. W. Martin, M. S., Ph. D., chemistry and 
geology; Miss Celestia S. Parrish, mathematics and 
pedagogy; Miss Louise J. Smith, art and French ; Mrs. 



400 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

W. M. Strother, A. M., elocution and physical culture ; 
Louis Schehlmann, vocal music ; William S. Adams, 
instrumental music ; Miss Annie Brown, assistant in 
English and mathematics ; A. W. Terrell, M. D., col- 
lege physician, and Mrs. Annie Allen, matron. 

An effort had been made in September to unite the 
West Lynchburg and Rivermont street railways, but 
without success. The Rivermont Company, desiring to 
extend its line, began to build the line from Main and 
Fifth streets to the Presbyterian cemetery. In De- 
cember the cars were running, and in February the 
whole line was completed. 

It will be remembered that when Lynchburg be- 
came a city there was a good deal of trouble over the 
dogs, and now that it was aspiring to be a larger city, 
there was trouble over the cows. Up to this time the 
bland cow had been unmolested, and had been permit- 
ted to graze up and down the streets at will, and even 
enter the front yards, much to the delight of her owner 
and the disgust of other citizens. Now the proposition 
was made to deprive the cow of her personal liberty, 
and restrict her to her owner's stable or grass lot. This 
raised a storm ; amateur debaters and young rhetoricians 
spoke and wrote with much satisfaction to themselves, 
and it was threatened to make the cow question the 
political issue at the spring election. 

"It was cow law up, and cow law down, 
And cow law all around town." 

The council at length decided the question and passed 
an ordinance prohibiting cows from running at large in 
the city. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 401 

The COW question having been settled, the people now 
turned their attention to State politics. Colonel C. T. 
O'Ferrall, who had been nominated for governor by 
the Democrats, spoke at Moorman's warehouse October 
31, to a large crowd, and November 3, Major John 
W. Daniel closed the campaign with a fine speech at 
the Opera House. Colonel O'Ferrall was elected, as 
was R. L. Miller to the Senate, and Randolph Harrison 
to the House, from Lynchburg. 

The improvements upon Centenary church had been 
completed, and the pastor, Rev. W. H. Atwill, ap- 
pointed Sunday, November 12, for the time of reopen- 
ing. At 11 A. M., Bishop John C. Granbery preached 
to a crowded house, and in the afternoon Revs. J. 
Powell Garland, L. B. Betty, W. H. Atwill, T. H. 
Early, E. M. Peterson, and C. W. Turner spoke. At 
night Bishop Granbery preached again. This im- 
provement rendered ''the mother of Methodism 
here " one of the handsomest church edifices in Vir- 
ginia. The old, historic bell, the first in Southern 
Methodism, vv'as carefully placed in the new tower, 
and now its clear ringing chime is heard again call- 
ing to the house of prayer. Conference met, and Rev. 
Ernest Stevens Avas sent to Cabell Street, and Rev. 
L. T. AVilliams to Trinity; Rev. C. B. Wilmer re- 
signed from Epiphany church, and on December 31, 
at the First Baptist church, Thomas A. Johnson, a 
Lynchburg boy, was ordained to the ministry, Revs. 
J. S. Felix, R. H. Pitt, F. P. Robertson, G. E. Truett, 
and J. T. McLaughlin taking part. 



402 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Death this year claimed a large number of well- 
known citizens. January 6, Dr. George W. Thorn- 
hill, one of the best beloved physicians and a kind, 
modest and generous man ; 22d, Peter Williams, and 
the 25th, J. F. Slaughter; February 4, J. Philip 
Shaner ; March 3, W. L. Bowman ; 1 8th, John Mc- 
Conville, and 30th, George A. Diuguid, the veteran 
undertaker, all worthy citizens. May 22, Colonel 
Daniel A. Wilson ; 10th, John McCarty; 27th, Charles 
Camm; June 2d, Ed. J. Burton; 18th, J. D. M. Ferguson 
was killed on the Chesapeake and Ohio trestle; 22d, 
John L. Hutter; 23d, Frank H. Jennings ; 24th, Joe 
Landrum, killed by a fall from Cohn's building ; 26th, 
H. J. Abrams ; 27th, Robert D. Victor ; 30th, J. T. 
Woodson, an old citizen ; July 5, W. F. Robertson ; 
21st, J. J. Landrum ; 24th, J. W. Maher; 27th, James 
Ammon Hancock, son of James Hancock ; August 17, 
Dr. L. Lambeth and William Deacon; September 11, 
Charles M. Watts; 15th, Ed. Nichols; 21st, D. Don- 
ovan ; 23d, T. H. Ross and J. Ball Miller; October 13, 
C. L. Hall; 15th, John W. Jones; and 20th, A. Wad- 
dill, old citizens; November 4, J. J. Spencer; 14th, 
L. E. Litchford ; December 1, Wm. O'Brien ; 4th, 
Charles D. McGhee ; 20tb, Dr. W. S. Morris ; 27th, S. 
Levi; 28th, Joe Clemins, more of the old citizens. 

The effects of the boom were still keenly felt ; money 
was scarce, and those who had lost their homes and all 
in this land speculation, were still harassed by notes 
for the deferred payments on lots not worth the first 
amount paid. Many wondered now why it was that 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 403 

those who questioned the solidity of the boom should 
have been thought foolish. 

One pleasant thing to notice at the beginning of 1894 
was the gift of John D. Langhorne to the Home and 
Retreat. He presented the institution "with a paid-up 
life insurance policy for five thousand dollars. This 
was a much needed gift, and it enabled the managers to 
remodel and refit the hospital. 

Several other occurrences in January may be noted. 
The Traders Bank was organized ; Frank P. Christian 
was elected Judge of the Hustings Court, to succeed 
Judge Diggs, January, 1895. The State convention 
of the Society of Christian Endeavor met at Court 
Street church, and shortly after this adjourned Rev. J. 
E. Schoolfield held one of the most successful meet- 
ings in the history of the church. The next month 
the Carroll was opened. Rev. J. S. Felix resigned the 
pastorate of the First Baptist church, and Rev. G. E. 
Truett, of College Hill. Successful meetings were 
held at Centenary by the pastor. Rev. W. H. At will, 
and at First Presbyterian church by Rev. W. D. 
Morton. 

Lieutenant-General Jubal A. Early died at his home 
here March 2, from the eifects of a fall previously re- 
ceived. He was born in Franklin county in 1816, was 
colonel in the Mexican War, and lieutenant-general in 
the Civil War. After the war he made Lynchburg his 
home. He was connected with the Louisiana State 
Lottery for many years before his death. His funeral 
was from St. Paul's on the 5th, and there was a great 



404 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

military display in his honor. The services were con- 
ducted by Rev. T. M. Carson. The following was 
the order of procession : 

Chief Marshal, Colonel M. S. Langhome. 

Assistants : Colonel J. W, Watts ; Majors P. J. Otey, W. H. 
Pryor, J. C. Featherston, N. M. Moorman; Captains K. H. T. Adams, 
Ridgeway Holt, Stephen Adams, E. A. Biggers ; Judge George 
Christian, Richmond ; Captain Gordon McCabe, Petersburg ; Colonel 
Frank Huger, Roanoke ; Colonel W. H. Taylor, Norfolk ; Colonel 
G. C. Cabell, Danville, and Colonel R. T. W. Duke, Charlottesville. 

Confederate Camps from Lynchburg, Richmond, Norfolk, Ports- 
mouth, Petersburg, and other places. 

Virginia Military Institute Cadets, Lynchburg Home Guard, 
Artillery Blues, Fitz Lee Troop, Zouaves. 

Visiting companies. 

Members of General Early's staff. 

Representative of the governor and his staff. 

Hearse, carriages, citizens on horse, fire department. 

The active pall-bearers were : Colonel L. S. Marye, Captains C. 
I. Johnson, J. W. Dickerson, J. Franklin, Jr., R. Fairfax, George 
Moore, Jr., C. K. Nelson, General J. H. Smith, Colonel R. T. 
Craighill, W. B. Snead, W. M. Seay, H. W. Doyle, Major A. J. 
Hewett and L. P. Rodes. 

Honorary : Generals W. H. Payne, D. H. Maury, Eppa Hun- 
ton, Fitzhugh Lee, L. L. Lomax, Colonels C. S. Venable, A. 
Forsberg, Captain G. E. Dunn, Major Albert Akers, G. T. Green, 
and Revs. T. M. Carson and R. H. Fleming. 

When Spring Hill Cemetery was reached the body 
was lowered into the ground, near the place General 
Early stood during the defense of Lynchburg. After 
the service at the grave a salute was fired by the Cadets, 
and when the flowers had been placed " taps," " lights 
out " was sounded, and the courageous man and fearless 
leader was left to the silence of the tomb. 

The General Assembly passed suitable resolutions in 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 405 

regard to General Early's death, the Governor ordered 
all flags at half-mast, and the Richmond Howitzers 
fired minute guns while the funeral was in progress. 

The people were still complaining of hard times, and 
to add to the bad condition of affairs, the Glamorgan 
Works burned up on the night of April 9, throwing 
out of work more than three hundred men, and destroy- 
ing thousands of dollars of property. It was soon 
announced that the plant would be rebuilt, and this gave 
a ray of hope. 

The citizens were not very busy at this time, and 
they could afford to take recreation. The Home Guard, 
Artillery Bliies, Zouaves, and many veterans and other 
citizens, went to Richmond to the unveiling of the Sol- 
diers' and Sailors' monument. May 29. During the 
whole summer crowds enjoyed the baseball ; nearly 
every afternoon many went to Rivermont Ball Park 
to witness the game. 

The first commencement of Randolph-Macon Wo- 
man's College was held June 14 and 15. Rev. Dr. A. 
Coke Smith preached the sermon, and Rev. Dr. S. A. 
Steel made the address. The friends of the College 
were much pleased with this first year's work, and 
Lynchburgers congratulated themselves upon having 
the institution. 

A good deal of trouble was caused by the council, 
after much discussion, deciding to build a city electric 
light plant. Then the decision was revoked, and again 
it was decided to build it for the city. The opponents 
of the plan now sued out an injunction and the matter 



406 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was carried into court. The case was decided against 
the city, and tlie Rivermont Company was engaged to 
furnish the lights. Many regretted that this effort for 
municipal ownership should have been defeated. 

There were many changes in the churches this year. 
Rev. Dorsey Blake succeeded Rev. S. R. Murray at 
the Methodist Protestant church ; Rev. Dr. F. C. Mc- 
Connell accepted a> call to the First Baptist church, and 
preached his first sermon June 3. Rev. C J. Thomp- 
son accepted a call to College Hill ; Rev. J. C. Reed 
succeeded Rev. Dr. E. M. Peterson at Memorial ; Rev. 
O. Littleton was made presiding elder of the Lynch- 
burg district. The Woman's Missionary Society of the 
Virginia Conference held its annual session here, and 
Rev. Theron Rice held a successful meeting at West- 
minster church. 

At the November election Major P. J. Otey was 
elected to Congress over J. Hampton Hoge. 

An enterprise started near the close of the year of 
much interest to the citizens was the new telephone 
company known as the Home Company; W. P. Rob- 
erts, president ; Edward Franklin, vice-president ; 
Walker Pettyjohn, secretary and treasurer. This com- 
pany brought down the price of telephones considerably 
and in that way put many in use. 

The death record this year contained the names of 
many old citizens. January 8, H. H. Lewis, one of 
the oldest tobacconists, in his eighty-fourth year ; 9th, 
A. J. DeWitt, an old newspaper man, and on the same 
day Dr. W. A. McKinney, a bright young man ; Feb- 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 407 

ruary 21st, J. S. Watson ; March 31, Major George M. 
]\Iurrell, in his eighty-fifth year, one of our best 
citizens; April 5, Reuben C. Akers ; 19th, L. E. 
Coffee; May 15, S. B. Anderson; 17th, Eddie 
Garbee was drowned ; June 9, W. F. Ryan, killed ; 9th, 
James Crurapton, and the same day Rev. Josiah Clift, 
an old citizen and an honored local preacher in the 
Methodist Protestant Church; 29th, ^Y. H. Loyd ; 30th, 
John Q. Adams ; July 8, N. C. Manson, an old and well 
known citizen and a lawyer here for many years ; 15th, 
John E. Krause ; 28th, S. M. Burch, and on same day 
J. W. Faulkner, a successful druggist; 29th, S. D. Hills- 
man ; 30th, Norman Harvey, drowned ; August 5, AV. 
P. Daniel, son of Major John W. Daniel, was killed 
by a horse ; 25, W. W. Larkin, a well known lawyer ; 
September 10, J. W. Callahan ; 25th, R. Matthews ; 
October 12, E. J. Folkes, a public spirited citizen; 
1 5th, C. C. Price, a young man; 24th, R. H. Bell, another 
old citizen; and 26th, W. C. Ballagh ; November 14, 
Frank Bragassa, a leading confectioner ; 22d, J. Balda 
Crenshaw, police justice for fifteen years ; December 29, 
Charles W. Button, one of the oldest citizens and best 
known journalists in the State. He came to Lynch- 
burg in 1856 and took charge of the Virginian, which 
he owned and edited until 1885. His funeral was 
from the ]\Iethodist Protestant Church, of which he was 
long a devoted member. 

One of the first occurrences of 1895 was a sad one. 
The weather had been cold and skating on the river 
was good. Among those who were enjoying it were 



408 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

George Wightman and Reuben Johnson, boys fourteen 
and seventeen. Skating where the ice was thin, they 
broke in and before help reached them both were 
drowned. The untimely end of these boys cast gloom 
over the M-liole city. 

Since the boom the crookedness and defalcations, 
especially in banks, had been almost unprecedented, and 
Lynchburg had not escaped. In February the town 
was startled by irregularities in the First National 
Bank. The solvency of the bank Avas not jeopardized, 
but the aifair was much regretted. 

The Art League was organized this year and did 
much to increase interest in the study of art. An im- 
portant meeting was that held at Westminster church, 
March 4. It had been decided to move the Union 
Theological Seminary from near Farmville to one of 
the Virginia cities. This meeting was called to secure 
it for Lynchburg, if possible. Rev. Dr. R. H. Flem- 
ing was made president ; Richard Hancock, secretary, 
and AVm. Kinnier, treasurer. The movement assumed 
a large proportion, and the council agreed to donate, on 
behalf of the city, a sight in Rivermont or AVest Lynch- 
burg. iSIany individuals oifered to make liberal sub- 
scriptions, and at one time it seemed as if Lynchburg 
would be the place, but Richmond oifered better ad- 
vantages and secured it. 

Another hospital was opened here this same month by 
Prs. Terrell and Lile. It was located on Church 
street, and called St. AndreVs Home. 

Lynchburg was glad to welcome General Fitzhugh 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 409 

Lee as one of its citizens. After the death of Captain 
Shepperd, he was appointed collector of internal revenue 
for the Western District of Virginia, and took charge 
of the office May 1. Several days later the Young 
Men's Institute, a branch of the American Catholic 
fraternity, was organized here. The object of the as- 
sociation was the uplifting of young men of that de- 
nomination. The building, corner Church and Twelfth 
streets, was opened as a home, but it was expected later 
to build a handsome structure. May seemed an inter- 
esting month. On the 8th a large crowd gathered back 
of the courthouse to witness an unusual sight. A short 
time before the police had raided several gambling dens, 
and on this occasion Sergeant Johnson, under instruc- 
tions from the court, was to burn their paraphernalia. 
Fine mahogany tables and other valuable furniture, with 
gambling apparatus, was piled up and fire set to it. It 
made a big blaze and wa^ watched by the spectators 
until only the ashes were left. Near the close of the 
month the sad news came that the " Colima " had 
gone down between Manzanillo and Acapulco, and that 
all on board were drowned, among whom was George 
Laughorne, the second officer, a Lynchburg boy, the 
grandson of Rev. George W. Laughorne. 

There were two outside matters in which Lynchburg 
was interested. Trouble among the miners at Poca- 
hontas was again started, and Governor O'Ferrall or- 
dered the Fitz Lee Troop and the Home Guard there 
to maintain order. There was no fighting, so the boys 
enjoyed the trip. The news came that on July 29 



410 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Professor John B. Minor, the old and honored professor 
of law at the University, had died. The next day the 
bar held a meeting and adopted suitable resolutions, 
expressing the great loss the State had sustained. 

Lynchburg was experiencing one of the worst droughts 
in its history, when two visitors of note came to the city. 
The first was October 5, when the Liberty Bell, in 
charge of a guard, stopped here. A great crowd gath- 
ered to see the brazen throat that first " proclaimed 
liberty throughout the land to the inhabitants thereof." 
Colonel L. S. Marye and Rev. Dr. R. H. Fleming 
made suitable speeches on this occasion. On the 24th 
President Cleveland w^as here a few hours, and shook 
hands with many citizens ; afterwards he shook the con- 
fidence of more. 

Sunday, October 27, was one of those beautiful days 
in the fall that made the people feel that they must be 
out in the bracing air and bright sunshine. There was 
a hush over the city, for it was the hour of morning 
worship and every church was well filled. Suddenly 
the rumbling of the fire engines and wagons was heard 
in the street. What could it be? There was no 
alarm of fire. The news soon spread that a telegram 
had come calling for help to save Virginia's pride. 
The University was on fire, and the Charlottesville 
companies were not sufficient. A train w^as quickly 
put in place and in two hours the Lynchburg depart- 
ment was on the campus. Alas ! it was too late ; the 
rotunda was in ashes, and the library, with its rare and 
valuable books, papers and paintings, was destroyed. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 411 

It was sad news for Lynchburg. A few days later the 
alumni here held a meeting at the Y. M. C. A. Hall, 
Dr. E,. W. Martin presiding. Several speeches were 
made and resolutions passed asking the Legislature to 
appropriate funds to replace the building according to 
the former plan. The committee to present the me- 
morial was Chas. M. Blackford, P. A. Ivrise, E. C. 
Glass, Judge J. S. Diggs and Judge J. D. Horsley. It 
was also proposed to start a collection here among the 
citizens to assist in rebuilding. This was done, and a 
large amount was contributed. 

The city was having a gread deal of trouble with the 
"West Lynchburg Street Car Company, The service 
was worse than that of the old horse cars and much 
more dangerous. The company was fined by the mayor 
again and again, and had taken an appeal. The object 
was to force the old company either to vacate or im- 
prove. After more than a year of continued ineffi- 
ciency and trouble the line was sold by order of the 
court and thoroughly improved. 

An old Lynchburger, Hon. Allen G. Thurman, died 
in Columbus, Ohio, December 12. He was born here 
in the little house on Harrison street, November 13, 
1813, and had lived here until he was a young man. 
The place of his nativity felt proud of the fine record 
he had made. 

Another link of the past was passing away. Sunday, 
15tli, was the last day in old St. Paul's. Rev. T. M. 
Carson conducted appropriate services. What memo- 
ries arose as the old bell for the last time called the 



412 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

worshipers together in the sacred building ! The famil- 
iar faces that pass before us, the solemn services of the 
days past, the happy marriages, the sad funerals ! The 
next Sunday the first service was held in the new 
church, conducted by the Revs. T. M. Carson and T. 
H. Lacy. As St. Paul's was the first to introduce an 
organ in the church, so on this occasion it first intro- 
duced a surpliced choir. 

Other old landmarks that were passing away were 
the ponds, at the east end of Main street, where the boys 
once enjoyed fishing and skating. 

This year there had been many changes in the city 
churches. Rev. E. A. Warfield was, in April, sent to 
the Methodist Protestant church ; Rev. Dr. AY. T. Hall 
had been elected to the chair of theology in Columbia, 
S. C, Seminary, and had accepted, taking effect July 
1. Dr. Hall was much beloved here by all denomina- 
tions, and a farewell meeting was held in his honor at 
the First Baptist church, June 30. Rev. A. S. Rachal 
was called to Bethesda church. Rev. L. B. Betty, at 
Court Street, was succeeded by Rev. Dr. A. Coke 
Smith, and Rev. W. H. Atwell, at Centenary, by Rev. 
Dr. G. H. Ray ; Rev. P. H. Clements was sent to 
South View, and Rev. Porter Hardy to Madison. 

At the close of the year it looked as if we were to 
have a war with Great Britain. There was a dispute 
between England and Venezuela over a certain boun- 
dary line, and the United States was calling attention 
to the Monroe Doctrine. Little heed was paid to what 
our government said until Mr. Cleveland sent a mes- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 413 

sage to Congress that unless England recognized the 
Monroe Doctrine the United States would go to war. 
The Garland-Rodes Camp of Confederate Veterans 
met and endorsed President Cleveland's action, and if 
need be they would have endorsed it with their blood, 
as they did States Rights in the sixties. This was not 
needed, however, for England came to terms and the 
matter was settled. 

The deaths this year were : January 11, M. Byrne ; 
19th, Dr. M. R. Bohanan, a soldier in the Mexican 
War ; March 11, J. A. Campbell ; 17th, Edgar Frank- 
lin, a bright young man ; 21st, O. Thomas, an old 
citizen ; 24th, Robert Kinnier ; April 2, W. J. Cheat- 
ham ; 5th, J. W. Martin, drowned near Big Island ; 
6th, Colonel P. T. Withers, an old citizen ; 11th, Cap- 
tain Ham Shepperd ; 24th, Charles Brown, killed by 
fall from Traders Bank building ; 28th, Samuel Pat- 
terson, in his eighty-first year ; May 1, John Clark, a 
leading business man ; July 8, Horton Hickey ; 2 2d, 
Arthur Helbig ; August 5, John Morrison ; 2od, R. I. 
Harris ; September 1, Richard Leckie ; 9th, John D. 
Holt, a prominent business man ; 12th, F. A. Kinckle, 
a well-known citizen ; 13th, W. B. Tinsley ; October 
10, Dr. J. V. Hobson, a physician here from 1840 to 
1850, and an old Virginia gentleman; 16th, Mosby 
H. Payne, a good citizen ; 1 7th, James M. Casey, an 
old Irish citizen ; 23d, Joseph Lawson ; 25th, E. T. 
Bowling; 29th, John Kelley ; November 14, Captain 
Jesse Irving ; 24th, J. F. Kinncar, a prominent business 
man ; December 28, W. A. Ford, a leading tobacconist. 



414 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

January 1, 1896, Lynchburg was slowly recovering 
from the hard times, and business was gradually getting 
to its normal condition, although it could not be said 
that the evil effects of the boom had passed away. 
The people had accepted the situation as largely brought 
about by themselves, and were trying to make the best 
of it. 

The activity in the churches at this time was notice- 
able. The usual week of prayer was observed, and fol- 
lowing this Rev. J. E. Schoolfield held a successful 
meeting at Centenary. Cabell Street Baptist church 
was organized on the 19th, with Rev. F. P. Robertson 
pastor, and February 2 Rev. F. T. McFaden began his 
pastorate at the First Presbyterian church, although he 
was not installed until April. The following month 
Rev. J. W. B. Smith succeeded Rev. A. H. Ferguson 
as pastor of the Christian church. There had been few 
deaths that caused more sorrow here than that of Rev. 
T. E. Coulbourne at Pittston, Pa., March 11. He had 
been pastor of the Methodist Protestant church here 
for eight years, and by his sterling Christian character 
and devotion to his work had endeared himself to all 
who knew him. The scene around his death-bed was 
calm and beautiful. After giving some directions, he 
said : " That is all ; now if the Lord calls I am ready," 
and later he whispered as the attendant bent over him, 
" Stand back and leave me alone with Jesus." His 
funeral took place from the church here, and the sor- 
rowing crowd followed his remains to Spring Hill 
cemetery. The Open Door Mission held its third anni- 



LYNCHBl!llG AND ITS PEOPLE. 415 

versaiy on the 13th. In a quiet way much good was 
accomplished by this religious organization. 

General Fitzhugh Lee was appointed consul general 
to Cuba April 15, and left here for his post of duty June 
1. This was a very responsible position, especially at 
this time, when the war between Cuba and Spain was 
going on, and the sympathy of the United States was 
with Cuba. General Weyler had already been burned 
in effigy in some places, and arms and ammunition had 
been secretly sent to the oppressed Cubans. General 
Lee's friends here wished him much success, and they 
felt assured that he was the right man for the important 
office. 

Some improvements were going on in the city. 
George M. Jones had given the Woman's College fifteen 
thousand dollars for a memorial library, and this was 
being erected. The Lynchburg Industrial Association, 
H. P. Woodson, secretary, had done much for the city, 
and was now issuing a pamphlet setting forth its com- 
mercial and industrial advantages. The Stamford Man- 
ufacturing Company was building a large plant for the 
manufacture of dye-stuffs, and in July the Plow 
Works, a corporation composed of Lynchburg capi- 
talists, was organized, with George P. Watkins, presi- 
dent, and J. H. ^IcWane, vice-president. 

The people were enjoying some special privileges in 
social life. General John B. Gordon delivered his 
lecture on " The Last Days of the Confederacy" here 
May 1. The Lyceum Association had added much to 
the pleasure of the citizens during the past season, and 



41 G LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the college had given several musical aud literary en- 
tertainments. At the commencement this year the 
sermon by Bishop J. C. Granbery and the addresses by 
Bishop O. P. Fitzgerald aud Rev. Dr. Bigham were 
enjoyed. Several years before, Frederick Douglass ad- 
dressed the colored people at Jackson Street church, 
and about this time Booker T. AYashington, another 
leader among his race, addressed them at the same place. 
The Methodists had been preparing for some time 
for the greatest gathering of young people ever held in 
the city — the first State Conference of the Epworth 
League. Moorman's warehouse had been secured for 
the place of meeting, and had been fitted with seats, 
and beautifully decorated with blue and gold. It was 
dedicated the Epworth League Tabernacle, June 24. The 
delegates began to arrive in crowds, and when the Con- 
ference opened on the night of the 25th there were about 
fifteen hundred here. The large auditorium was filled to 
overflowing when the opening exercises began. After 
devotional services J. B. Gregory made a brief address, 
and he was followed by Judge Frank P. Christian, who 
welcomed the visitors on behalf of the city, and Rev. 
Dr. A. Coke Smith on behalf of the churches. The 
response was made by Rev. AY. H. D. Harper, The 
Conference lasted until Sunday night, 28th, and there 
was great enthusiasm. This was evinced by the col- 
lection which was taken after Bishop Galloway's sermon, 
amounting to fifteen hundred dollars to support a mis- 
sionary in Corea. Among the prominent speakers 
were Bishop Granbery, Rev. Hugh Johnson, and Rev. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 417 

George Stuart. The speech of the last named on 
temperance was the greatest of its kind ever delivered 
here. Monday the leaguers departed with many ex- 
pressions of appreciation of the Hill City's great hospi- 
tality. 

The time for Lynchburgers to attend a great gather- 
ing was now come. The Home Guard, the Zouaves, the 
Confederate veterans and many citizens, went to Eich- 
mond to be present at the Confederate Reunion, and 
the laying of the corner-stone of the Jefferson Davis 
monument, July 1 . It was a great occasion and second 
only to the unveiling of the Lee monument. 

One of the most vigorous political campaigns since 
the war began was when William J. Bryan was nominated 
by the Free Silver Democrats, William McKinley by 
the Republicans, and Palmer and Buckner by the Gold 
Democrats. The majority of Democrats here seemed 
to favor Bryan and free coinage of silver sixteen to 
one, but the gold standard men, though not so numer- 
ous, stood firmly by their convictions. One very 
marked characteristic of the canvass was the large 
amount of literature distributed, and the wide reading 
on the currency question. The excitement grew so in- 
tense that at one time there was fear of serious trouble. 
Everywhere free silver was being discussed, and some- 
times these private discussions lasted for hours. Oc- 
tober 16 Thomas F. Grady, of New York, spoke at 
Moorman's warehouse for Bryan, and the next night 
Thomas J. Kirkpatrick addressed a gold standard meet- 
ing at the Opera House. One of the largest and most 



418 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

enthusiastic meetings ever held here was on the 20th^ 
when John W. Daniel addressed from three to five 
thousand citizens at Moorman's upon the advantages of 
free silver. Among the other speakers were Messrs. 
Montague, Staples, Ingalls and Judge Khea. When 
November 3 had passed McKinley and Hobart were 
elected, and the gold standard established. 

Another large gathering of young people here was 
the Fourth Annual Convention of the Baptist Young 
People's Union, which held its opening session at the 
First Baptist church, Tuesday evening, October 13. J. 
Garland Pollard presided, and the address of welcome 
on behalf of the churches was made by Dr. F. C. Mc- 
Connell, and on behalf of the city by Don P. Halsey. 
The response was made by H. G. Avery. The con- 
vention lasted several days, and there were many inter- 
esting addresses and discussions in regard to the work 
of the young people in the church. 

Following this, Schraeder, the " divine healer," came 
with his great pretensions, and November 11, the Vir- 
ginia Conference of the M. E. Church, South, met at 
Court Street, Bishop W. W. Duncan, presiding. Only 
two changes were made here : Rev. W. Asbury Chris- 
tian was appointed to succeed Pev. Dr. G. H. Ray at 
Centenary, and Rev. L. C. Shearer succeeded Rev. L. 
T. Williams at Trinity. 

Lynchburg had several times tried to establish a 
public library, but had not succeeded. December 21, a 
meeting for this purpose was held. John W. Craddock 
presided and Rev. Dr. A. Coke Smith, Captain C. M. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 419 

Blackford and others spoke, urging the necessity of 
such an institution. It seemed as if it would be secured 
before very long, so February of next year Judge 
Whittle, of the Circuit Court, granted a charter to the 
Lynchburg Public Library. It has not been built, but 
it is to be hoped that some day it will be. 

The citizens who had died this year were : J. W 
Lawson, January 25 ; H. P. Watts, February 3 
Eichard Adams, March 18 ; Charles Langhorne, 31st 
J. R. Lindsay, April 3 ; A. J. Nolan, 8th ; Major R. H 
Glass, one of our most distinguished citizens. May 7 , 
he was, for a long time, editor of the Repuhlican, and 
later of the Advance and Nexus. He was a bright man 
and a strong writer. Cornelius McNamara, 17th ; Wave 
McGehee, June 25 ; Miller Bocock, 29th ; Vincent 
Rockecharlie, July 1 ; W. D. Miles, 29th ; Charles F. 
Moss, August 1 ; Mark Anthony, an old citizen, Sep- 
tember 5 ; S. Burford, 28th ; Thomas C. Wilkes, Octo- 
ber 12 ; Joseph Cohn, a prominent business man and a 
valiant Confederate soldier, 14th ; he was a genial, kind- 
hearted man and was highly respected. W. W. Thax- 
ton, November 6 ; J. G. Brady, 24th ; John Suter, 25th ; 
Carrington W, Mosby, a prosperous business man, was 
killed while hunting, December 18. 

Ever year that had passed since the boom was a 
year's advance towards better times. The people had 
learned a great lesson in the school of experience, not- 
withstanding the enormous cost of tuition. There 
will not be another boom in this generation. Now, 
capital was coming out of hiding and going into Indus- 



420 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tries, and the volume of business for the last year, both 
wholesale and retail, had been large; so altogether the- 
prospect for 1897 was brighter than it had been for 
years. 

The Daughters of the Confederacy, an organization 
of patriotic ladies, were trying to erect a monument 
in honor of the Confederate soldiers who w^ent from 
Lynchburg. They worked diligently, and it is hoped 
that in a few years success will crown their efforts. 
This same month, February, the State Sunday-school 
Convention met at Centenary, and the educators of the 
colleges and the University of the State held a meeting 
here to discuss better educational methods. 

The sensation of the year started February 20. A 
woman named Jameson committed suicide, and was 
buried, in the presence of her father, in the City ceme- 
tery. A short while afterward the police stopped a 
negro drayman at the depot with a mysterious looking 
barrel. It was discovered that in the barrel was the 
body of the unfortunate woman, which N. J. Farmer, 
the keeper of the cemetery, was sending to the Uni- 
versity, acting, as he thought, under the instructions of 
the State Anatomical Board. The body was reinterred 
and Farmer arrested. The wildest excitement pre- 
vailed, especially among the negroes and white people 
who had friends or kindred buried in this cemetery ; 
they thought there had been a wholesale grave robbery, 
and few, if any, graves had escaped. Large crowds 
gathered at the cemetery and many graves were opened 
to see if the bodies had been taken out. The easier 



LyJSCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 421 

throug watched every spade of dirt that was thrown 
out, and when the coffins were reached and opened a 
great sigh of relief was given to find that the dead had 
not been disturbed. Such a scene was never witnessed 
before. Many were afraid to die, because they thought 
their bodies might be sent to the University, and at 
one time threats of personal violence were made against 
Farmer. He was tried in the Corporation Court and 
acquitted. After all, this solicitude was but a manifes- 
tation of the tender feeling cherished by our people for 
the dead, such that they will not permit the rest of the 
grave to be disturbed even for the purposes of science. 

A pitiful cry had come to this country from famine- 
stricken India, and Lynchburg felt moved by it ; accord- 
ingly a public meeting was held and nearly seven hun- 
dred dollars raised for the starving people. 

Now Lynchburg was to have an experience very un- 
common to it, a bank failure. There had been many 
financial storms, but the banks had stood ; now in the 
better times there was a failure. May 12, the Traders 
Bank, the newest in the city, made an assignment to 
Captain C. M. Blackford and James E. Edmunds, trus- 
tees. The assets were three hundred and thirty thou- 
sand dollars, largely boom stock and securities, and liabil- 
ities one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. An in- 
junction was asked for to prevent suits against the 
bank. The trouble was brought about by mismanage- 
ment, and some of the officers were indicted, but were 
acquitted. All of the depositors lost, as did the stock- 
holders and the board of directors, especially those 



422 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

who had guaranteed the payment of certain obligations. 
Numerous suits were entered, but little was ever re- 
covered. 

The election for councilmen this year was one of the 
most hotly contested since the war. The regular Demo- 
cratic nominees were opposed by what was called the 
Independent Heform Party. The fight was a hard one, 
but when the polls closed the Democratic councilmen, 
with one exception, were elected. Just following this, 
on the 31st, came one of the severest earthquakes ever 
experienced here. 

In the seventies, the Magdalene Society for the res- 
cue of fallen women was organized, and continued sev- 
eral years. The Open Door Mission had started a 
similar work, and it had continued merely local until 
July 16, when, upon petition of Mrs. P. Dirom, Mrs. 
S. O. Fisher, Miss E. B. Keesee, Mrs. Spot Fulkes and 
Mrs. K. Otey, Judge Christian granted a charter to the 
Crittenden Home. By this means the work was put 
upon a firm basis, and brought into association with 
like homes throughout the United States, that are aided 
by that noble philanthropist, Charles N. Crittenden. 
These homes are doing a great work in uplifting the 
fallen and dejected. 

The Klondike gold fever struck the country in Au- 
gust, and many went to the frozen regions to seek their 
fortunes. Several of our citizens set out upon the 
journey, and have not yet returned with the fabulous 
wealth they expected. 

One of the landmarks of the city, the old residence 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 423 

of Dr. John Patteson, corner of Eleventh and Church 
streets, had been torn down to give place to a modern 
building. The handsome building that had been erected 
on the site, the Home of the Hill City Lodge, was 
formally opened on August 20. A large crowd in- 
spected the new edifice and enjoyed the delightful re- 
freshments furnished by the lodge. 

This same month there seemed to be foretokens of 
another local option fight. At Centenary church a series 
of sermons was preached by the pastor on " The Rela- 
tion of the Saloon to Modern Civilization ; " then fol- 
lowed special sermons on the evils of the saloon by 
Rev. J. C. Reed, of Memorial, Rev. J. W. B. Smith, 
of the Christian ; Rev. Dr. A. Coke Smith, of Court 
Street, and Rev. Dr. F. C. McConnell, of First Baptist 
church. The people were deeply interested in the sub- 
ject, and notwithstanding the Virginian's prediction 
that there would never be another local option contest 
after the first, it looked as if the third w'as soon to be 
inaugurated. 

The Ministerial Association of the Christian church 
met here October 5, and on the 13th the Agricultural 
Fair opened. The chief attraction this year was Buffalo 
Bill's Wild \Yest show, for the day of fairs seemed to 
have passed, and many thought this would be the last 
held here. 

This same month the Internal Revenue offices for the 
district were moved to Alexandria, over the protests 
of the people here. 

The Presbyterians of Daniel's Hill had begun a 



424 LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

new church on Rivermont avenue, and on December 5th 
it was dedicated, Revs. R. H. Fleming, F. T. McFaden, 
J. A. McMurray and T. M. McCorkle, the pastor, tak- 
ing part. At Cabell Street Methodist church Rev. G. 
W. Dyer had succeeded Rev. Ernest Stevens as pastor. 
It was the 14th of this month that Major John W. 
Daniel was elected to the United States Senate for the 
third term — being twice elected without a dissenting 
vote. Major Daniel was born here September 5, 1842, 
and during his long term of public service has made an 
honorable record, of which his native city justly feels 
proud. In the war he was second lieutenant in the 
Rifle Grays and later adjutant of the Eleventh Virginia 
Regiment. 

Christmas had now arrived, and according to a well 
established custom Lynchburg prepared to celebrate it 
with great joy. The housekeeper had the fruit cake 
and turkey ready, and the boys with squibs and horns 
were fixed for Santa Clause's reception. The elaborate 
Sunday-school entertainments were very enjoyable, and 
especially to those who had no gifts at home. 

For a little while we must linger, again, at the open 
grave, that we may record the names of those citizens 
who have finished their work and gone down into its 
silence. Samuel G. Payne, a young man, died January 
3, and Willis N. Mays, one of our oldest citizens, on 
the 28th. February 4, Rev. Dr. H. H. Harris died at 
his sister's, Mrs. G. W. Thornhill. He had long been 
connected with Richmond College and at the time of 
his death was professor in Louisville Seminary. On 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOrLE. 425 

the 17th memorial service was held in lienor of him at 
the First Baptist church, Rev. Dr. Connell and Rev. 
F. P. Robertson taking part. John M. Payne, a young 
man, died February 10; and 15th, George W. Valen- 
tine, an aged citizen and a good man, passed away ; 25th, 
General Wyatt M. Elliott, a good soldier and for some 
years clerk of United States Court here, died ; and on 
the 27th, W. W. Coffee. Dr. E. F. Snead, one of the 
leading physicians here since 1887, and a good man, 
died March 6 ; and John Wall, a wealthy citizen, on 
the 9th. April 5, W. J. Seabury ; and May 17, C. F. 
"VVoolfork. Colonel K. Otey died suddenly, June 1. 
He was born here October 19, 1829, and was a useful 
citizen and a good soldier. His funeral was from 
Court Street church, and the Home Guard, of which 
he had been captain, the Zouaves, Garland-Rodes 
Camp, Masons, Daughters of the Confederacy and a large 
crowd of sorrowing friends followed the remains to 
Spring Hill, where, after " taps " had been sounded, 
the flower-covered grave was left in silence. Colonel 
Frank Huger, for a number of years a citizen of Lynch- 
burg, died in Roanoke and was interred here June 10. 
The military companies were at the Nashville Exposi- 
tion, but the Garland-Rodes Camp and many friends 
escorted the body to Spring Hill cemetery. W. B. 
Davies died June 10, and J. D. Bigbie the 23d ; E. 
A. Allen, August 4 ; Alexander Dunn the 13th ; 
Thomas M. Almond, 21st; H. B. Jones, 24th; N. S. 
Loyd, an old citizen, October 9 ; W. S. Poindexter, 1 5th ; 
and 1 7tli, Major Thomas J. Kirkpatrick, one of Lynch- 



426 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

burg's leading lawyers and distinguished citizens. He 
came here in 1846, and was a citizen for more than fifty 
years. When the war began he organized a battery, 
partly from here and partly from Amherst. For forty 
years he had been Superintendent of the First Presby- 
terian Sunday-school. The bar attended his funeral 
in a body and suitable resolutions in regard to his 
death were spread upon the records of the court. Octo- 
ber 26, J. S. Dickey died ; November 10, William 
Read, an old citizen ; and T. E. Reynolds, for a long 
time connected with the Virginia and Tennessee road, 
December 1 ; Alex. McDonald, another prominent 
citizen, died on the 14th. For a long time he had been 
editor of the Virginian, and later of other papers, until 
appointed minister to Persia. December 16, West 
Ford ; and 29th, Walter Thaxton died. 

The business outlook for 1898 was very good, con- 
sidering that the whole country was excited over our 
recognition of the freedom of Cuba, and perhaps, in 
consequence of it, war with Spain. The long, cruel 
war in Cuba had greatly worked on the sympathies of 
the people of the United States, and in view of that 
our relations with Spain were very much strained. It 
was thought best to keep a war ship near Havana to 
protect Consul-General Fitzhugh Lee, and other Ameri- 
can citizens, and to look after our interest there. The 
" Maine " was ordered, January 15, to proceed to Havana 
harbor, and reached there the 25th. This move pro- 
duced great excitement, and when it was learned that 
in a few days the Spanish ship Yizcaya would appear 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 427 

off New York, excitement was increased. But this 
amounted to but little in comparison to the feeling cre- 
ated by the announcement that at 9:40 p. M., February 
15, in Havana harbor, the " Maine " had been blown up, 
and that two officers and two hundred and sixty-four 
men had been killed, among whom was Nicholas Smith, 
a Lynchburg boy. The people were wrought up to 
the highest tension, crowds gathered around the bulletin 
boards, and it was almost impossible to supply the de- 
mand for newspapers. Many said, " This means war." 
Others said, " Perhaps not ; let us wait until the board 
of investigation reports." The people eagerly waited 
to hear the result of the inquiry, which was that the 
ship had been destroyed by a torpedo or something of 
the kind from the outside. Now but little else was ex- 
pected than war. The United States demanded that 
war in Cuba cease at once. Spain rejected the demand, 
and April 16, the Senate recognized the independence 
of Cuba • the island was blockaded on the 2 2d, and on 
the 25th war was formally declared to exist between 
this country and Spain. 

The war was the subject of greatest interest at this 
time, but there were local affairs of importance that 
came in for their share of consideration. The Young 
Men's Christian Association Convention met here Feb- 
ruary 17, and was addressed by Hon. W. L. Wilson, 
president of Washington and Lee University. General 
Wade Hampton was here, March 9, on a visit to General 
T. T. Munford, and Mayor Smith, Thomas D. Davis, 
president, with the other members of the council, and 



428 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Carter Glass, editor of the News, paid him an official visit 
on behalf of the city in recognition of his service in sav- 
ing Lynchburg from Sheridan's raid during the Civil 
War. 

The local option agitation which begun last August 
culminated when a petition for an election signed by 
over seven hundred citizens was handed Judge Chris- 
tian. The election was ordered April 12, and imme- 
diately the fight began. The temperance people held a 
large mass meeting at the Opera House, March 18. 
After a number of speeches the work was organized, 
with H. E. McWane, chairman of the executive com- 
mittee, and T. N. Davis, chairman of the advisory 
committee. The fight was an earnest one, and nearly 
every night meetings were held, and every paper had 
several columns devoted to the discussion. Among the 
speakers for local option were : Revs. A. Coke Smith, 
C. J. Thompson, J. C. Reed, F. C. McConnell, G. W. 
Dyer, J. W. B. Smith, W. A. Christian and H. E. 
McWane, T. M. Terry, G. E. Stephens, colored, and 
others. April 9 and 10, J. G. Woolly made two great 
temperance speeches at Friends warehouse. On the 
11th, Judge W. H. Mann made the closing speech for 
the " drys " at Friends, and Rev. C. Breckenridge 
Wilraer, Randolph Harrison and, J. L. Lee spoke at 
the Opera House for the " wets." 

The next day the election passed oflf quietly, with the 
following result : 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 429 

Against License. For License. Defective. 

First Ward— First precinct 367 521 30 

Second precinct 228 234 2 

Second Ward 383 367 2 

Third Ward— First precinct 258 265 10 

Second precinct 223 268 28 

1,459 1,655 72 

Majority for license, 196. 

Court Street Baptist church had had a big church 
row, and matters had now gotten into such a condition 
that the affair had to be brought into court. Judge 
Christian ordered Sergeant Johnson to lock the church, 
and appointed two trustees to settle the dispute and re- 
port to the court. The vote of the congregation was 
taken and the majority were against the pastor, Rev. 
P. F. Morris, so he and a number of the leading mem- 
bers withdrew and started a new church, the Eighth 
Street Baptist. 

Nearly every day troops were passing through the 
city going South, and large crowds gathered at the depot 
to greet them. April 23 the President called for one 
hundred and twenty-five thousand volunteers, and this 
time Lynchburg wanted to furnish its share. The 
Home Guard and Zouaves began to recruit, and Cap- 
tain R. L. Miller organized the Fitz Lee Rifles. Old 
Dudley Hall, the armory on Church street, presented 
a lively seen as the men came in to join the army and 
the squads began to drill. The boys seemed to be de- 
lighted, and often the war cry " Remember the Maine" 
was heard. While this was going on, Monday, May 2, 
the News issued an extra giving an account of Dewey's 



430 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

great victory at Manilla the day before. This had a 
stimulating eifect upon the people and made them feel 
like vigorously prosecuting the war. The companies 
were impatiently waiting for the command to move, 
when Saturday, May 7, orders came for them to proceed 
to Richmond Monday morning, the 9th. Sunday was 
a day of busy preparation, and all day the street in 
front of the armory was crowded, while the soldiers in- 
side were getting ready to go to war. In the afternoon 
farewell services were held at the Y. M. C. A. Lynch- 
burg was now beginning to realize that war existed, and 
especially those whose sons were going to the front. 

Monday morning before day men were hurrying to 
and fro, preparing for an early start. Long before the 
time to leave, there was an immense crowd on Church 
and Ninth streets and around the depot. About seven 
o'clock the Hill City band began to play, and in thirty 
minutes the command was heard, " Fall in." A de- 
tachment from Garland-Rodes Camp, Confederate Vet- 
erans, under Colonel Maurice Langhorne — the men 
who, thirty-seven years ago, on a Monday morning, 
had left for Richmond to go to war — escorted the young 
soldiers to the depot. It was a touching scene to see 
the battle-scarred heroes leading their sons into war for 
liberation of the oppressed. The thousands of people 
who had come to bid them farewell cheered as they 
marched by. At nine o'clock the troops were on board 
and the Chesapeake and Ohio train started for Rich- 
mond.* The boys were delighted, but the mothers, 

* For rosters of the three companies see Appendix. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 431 

wives, sisters and sweethearts were in tears, for many 
feared that they were saying farewell perhaps for the 
last time. The companies arrived at Richmond that 
night and went into camp near the Fair Grounds at a 
place called Camp Lee. The work of mustering into 
the United States service began at once, and some of 
our men were sent home on account of not being able 
to stand the physical examination. While the troops 
were in Richmond many went from here to visit the 
soldiers, and every week or two boxes were sent. These 
proved acceptable, for the fare in camp was poor. In 
June the Zouaves were ordered to Tampa, Fla., and 
the Home Guard and Fitz Lee Rifles to Camp Alger, 
near Washington, and there they remained until the 
end of the war. None of our men were killed, except 
by disease, brought on largely by mismanagement of 
the army, which was without excuse. 

The city was again crowded with young people — 
this time with students attending the joint commence- 
ment of the Randolph-Macon schools, which consist of 
the College at Ashland, the Woman's College, Bedford 
Academy, Front Royal Academy, Blackstone and Dan- 
ville Institutes. The exercises began with a sermon 
Sunday, June 5, at Centenary church, by Bishop A. W. 
Wilson. Monday there was a reception at the Woman's 
College, and Tuesday the regular commencement exer- 
cises began at Moorman's warehouse, which was beau- 
tifully decorated with college colors. Charles W. Til- 
lett made the address before the alumni, after which 
there were the usual contests for the medals, which 



432 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

were very creditable. One feature of the occasion was 
the singing of college songs by the hundreds of students 
present. The concert by the Woman's College, the 
banquet at the Carroll, the addresses by Bishop J. H. 
Yincent and Dr. E. E. Hoss, with the distribution of 
medals and diplomas, gave great interest to the occa- 
sion. This first joint commencement of the Randolph- 
Macon system closed on the 9th, and credit was due 
Dr. W. W. Smith for the great success it was. 

The " Stamp Act" of modern times took effect July 
1. Checks, drafts, orders, deeds, etc., as well as all 
proprietary medicines, had to be adorned with a stamp 
to help pay for the war. There was no opposition to 
this measure, for news soon came of another victory. 
It was announced that on July 4 the whole Spanish 
fleet had been destroyed off Santiago by the United 
States ships under Schley and Sampson. The Neivs 
issued another extra giving full particulars. Ten days 
later the report came that Santiago had fallen, and the 
Spanish troops had surrendered. This practically 
meant the end of the war, for on the 26th Spain sued 
for peace and Cuba was free. 

Besides the men who entered the volunteer service 
there are the following Lynchburg boys in the regular 
United States army. Lieutenants David J. Rum- 
bough, Samuel D. Rockenbach, George T. Langhorne, 
Claud H. Miller and Drs. T. J. Kirkpatrick, R. G. H. 
Kean, Jr., Clark Collins and Claude Lavinder. 

The congregation of College Hill Baptist church had 
undertaken to erect a new church edifice on the corner 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 433 

opposite the old one, and had now completed the hand- 
some building. It was dedicated Sunday, July 17, 
Rev. R. R. Acree, a former pastor, preaching the ser- 
mon, and Revs. F. C. McConnell and C. J. Thompson 
taking part in the service. The exercises of the day 
after the morning service had to be postponed on 
account of the storm. The pastors of this church 
since its organization were : Revs. B. G. Manard, R. R. 
Acree, C. G. Jones, George E. Truett and C. J. Thomp- 
son. 

Cabell Street Methodist church, under Rev. G. W. 
Dyer, was also erecting a beautiful house of worship. 
September 4, Rev. R. W. Lilly succeeded Rev. J. W. 
B. Smith at the Christian church. In May the Home 
Missionary Society of the Methodist church met at 
Memorial, and in October the Woman's Foreign jMis- 
sionary Society at Court Street. The 27 th of this 
same month the Baptist Woman's Missionary Society 
of the State was organized at the First church. Dr. 
Young J. Allen made a great address on missions at 
Court Street church, November 10, and the next day 
the State Baptist Convention began its session at the 
First Baptish church. Rev. M. E. Broaddus preached 
the opening sermon, and Rev. E. A. Owen was 
made chairman. Among the preachers who filled the 
pulpits Sunday were Rev. Dr. W. R. L. Smith, a 
former pastor, and Rev. Dr. W. H. Whitsitt, whose 
book, " A Question in Baptist History," had caused com- 
motion in the church — the Virginia Baptists standing 
by Dr. Whitsitt. There were some changes in the 



434 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Methodist pulpits : Rev. J. W. Stiff succeeded Rev. J. 
C. Reed at Memorial ; Rev. G. H. Lambeth, Rev. G. 
W. Dyer at Cabell Street ; Rev. W. R. Evans, Rev. L. 
C. Shearer at Trinity ; and. Rev. Dr. Paul Whitehead, 
Rev. O. Littleton, as presiding elder. November 24, the 
corner-stone of Eighth Street Baptist church (colored) 
was laid. 

Peace was declared August 12, and in September 
the Lynchburg boys began to return from camp. The 
Home Guard and the Fitz Lee Rifles were mustered 
out at once, but the Zouaves returned here and were 
not mustered out until December. The soldiers seemed 
as glad to get back home as they were to go to war 
several months before. 

Christmas week was a happy time ; the usual festi- 
vities were observed, and an occasion of special note 
was the banquet given to the Night School at the 
Arlington. This school, imder the superintendence of 
R. C. Blackford, is doing a good work among the poor 
boys who have to work all day. The officers and 
teachers receive no remuneration, the school being free 
for any white boys who desire to enter. 

To one this was a sad time : John Hancock, a negro 
boy, was condemmed to be hanged for rape. On a 
petition from a number of citizens he was once reprieved, 
but on December 30, in the jail corridor, he paid the 
extreme penalty of the law. Except two negro boys 
executed during the war for robbery, this was the third 
person ever hung in Lynchburg, the other two being 
white men. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 435 

The deaths this year were : January 10th, Paul Ford ; 
James M. Patteson, 19th ; Dr. Charles Slaughter, 
interred here 24th ; and Mrs. C. J. M. Jordan, 26th. 
She was born here January 11, 1830, and lived here most 
of her life. She was a woman of fine intellectual gifts 
and great talent as a poetess. Among her well-known 
poems are, " Flowers of Hope and Memory," " Corinth 
and Other Poems," " Richmond, Her Grave and Her 
Glory." Such was the devotion for the Confederacy as 
, manifested in her poems that during the period of re- 
construction the Federal General twice ordered them 
seized and burnt, once here and once in Richmond. 
INIrs. Jordan was a prolific writer, and, what is rare, 
generally maintained a high standard. Since her death 
her daughter has had a volume of her poems published, 
entitled, " Echoes from the Cannon." February, Frank 
Riley died, the 8th ; John W. Carroll, 9th. Mr. Carroll 
came to Lynchburg in 1849, and went into business 
Avith Folkes & Winston as a cabinet maker. In 1859 
he began to manufacture his celebrated Lone Jack and 
Brown Dick smoking tobacco, and soon amassed a 
large fortune. For a long time he was president of the 
Council and was connected with many of the leading 
commercial enterprises of the city. On the 13th 
Michael McLaughlin, an aged Irish citizen ; 14th, J. 
O. Sullivan; 19th, John P. Ford, a young lawyer; 
March, John Ryan, 6th ; Mrs. Mary Garland, in her 
ninety-eighth year, 9th ; same day. Rev. F. McMurray, 
a venerable Presbyterian minister ; 1 2th, E. J. Murphy ; 
26th, J. M. Warwick ; 30th, J. F. Dornin ; April, 



436 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

S. C. Hurt, an old citizen and prominent business man, 
6th ; Jacob H. Franklin, a prominent grocer, 20th ; 
May 1 3th, Dr. W. T. Walker, a popular physician here 
since 1883; 19th, R. T. Lacy; June 13th, R. G. H. 
Kean, one of the most brilliant lawyers at the bar. He 
came here from the University and was partner with 
John O. L. Goggin in the practice of law. He went 
with the Home Guard to war and was made adjutant to 
General George W. Randolph. After the war he resumed 
his practice and was for a long time city attorney. At 
a meeting of the bar a high tribute was paid to him 
both as a man and a lawyer ; 27th, O. Accorsini ; July 
14th, J. S. Dillardand W. C. Matthews ; 29th, Charles 
Fitch ; August 4, ^Y. R. Claiborne ; 19th, E. H. Fields ; 
September 1st, J. H. Bailey, an old citizen ; October 2, 
Ben Goolsby ; 11th, Edgar Black, a popular young 
man; 30th, J. N. Gordon; November 20th, J. H. 
Skey ; 27th, Dr. W. H. Baker, a fine man and a doctor 
of wide reputation ; 28th, J. R. McKinney ; December 
12, C. R. Fitzgerald; 14th, Jacob H.Robinson, an 
old citizen ; 26th, D. B. Horner. 

January, 1899, Lynchburg was entering upon an era 
of prosperity hitherto unknown in its history. Its 
wholesale trade in groceries, dry goods, notions, shoes, 
hardware, drugs, etc., was rapidly growing, and its 
manufacturing interests were larger than ever before. 
There was not as much tobacco manufactured as in the 
days gone by, but the leaf business was very large. 
Not only was the material prosperity great, but in 
literature, music and art there was marked progress. 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 437 

largely influenced by the college. The public schools, 
under the management of E. C. Glass, superintendent, 
among the best in the South, were making splendid 
progress, and now a handsome building for the High 
School was about to be erected. The Miller property 
on Court street was purchased for the site and the 
foundation dug, but this was abandoned and the Charles 
L. Mosby property on Federal Hill secured and work 
begun. The effects of the boom had about passed now, 
and Lynchburg Avas steadily growing in culture, wealth, 
and population. 

The Methodist Protestant church had been exten- 
sively improved under the pastor. Rev. E. A. Warfield, 
and January 29 it was reopened. Rev. Dr. A. D. 
Melvin preached in the morning and in the afternoon, 
and at night Rev. Dr. D. L. Greenfield, a former 
pastor. The improvement made the church one of the 
most attractive in the city. At the Christian Alliance 
church on Fifth avenue. Rev. P. R. Nugent held a 
meeting of interest. 

January was a cold and disagreeable month, but was 
not nearly so bad as February. One of the worst snows 
since 1857 began Saturday evening, February 11, and 
continued until late Monday, finishing up with a severe 
blizzard. The average depth of the snow was over 
twelve inches. The roads were so bad that teams could 
not move, and trains were blocked. A fuel famine 
was imminent, coal could not be delivered, and there 
was no wood in the city. The whole South was in 
snow and ice. At Norfolk the harbor was frozen for 



438 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

several days, and traffic on many of the railroads sus- 
pended. 

An important meeting for the Methodists was that 
held at Centenary church, March 2, by Bishop C. H. 
Galloway. All of the preachers of the Lynchburg 
and Charlottesville district met here to talk over the 
plan to raise one hundred thousand dollars in Virginia 
this year for the educational institutions of the church 
as a Twentieth Century thank offering. At night Bishop 
Galloway made a public address on the subject, which 
was well received. 

The West Lynchburg street railroad was sold last 
year, and now the new company was improving it. The 
Rivermont Company was also extending their tracks to 
the Miller Park, and on Grace street, where the tracks 
of the two companies were being laid, the property 
owners were strenuously objecting to the street being 
thus blocked. The work went on without delay, and 
now Lynchburg has two good electric railroads. In 
April, the Cotton Mill Company decided to double the 
capacity of its plant. About the same time Buffalo 
Bill with his Indians and buffaloes came again to the 
city and many went to see them, feeling that this was 
perhaps the last time they would see these fast vanish- 
ing denizens of other days. 

The Montgomery Presbytery met at Floyd Street 
Presbyterian chiu-ch. Rev. T. H. Lacy accepted a call 
to Epiphany, and May 15, Rev. Dr. T. DeWitt Tal- 
mage lectured here. The day before the lecture, Sun- 
day, the most disastrous fire since the Virginian and 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 439 

other buildings burned, took place. The ice factory, the 
tobacco extract works. Stalling, Hancock & Co.'s tobacco 
factory, and a number of other buildings burned up. 

The Methodists of the State were preparing to estab- 
lish an orphanage, and Lynchburg wanted it located 
here. The council offered a site not to exceed five 
thousand dollars, either in Rivermont or West Lynch- 
burg, and many private citizens promised to subscribe 
largely. At one time there seemed to be some prospect 
of getting it here, but Richmond offered better advan- 
tages, so it was decided to locate it there. 

Memorial services were held at Centenary church by 
the pastor, May 28, in honor of Rev. Dr. R. N. Sledd, 
who died in Atlanta on the 15th, on his way home to 
Danville, and similar services were held at Court Street 
June 4, presided over by Bishop J. C. Granbery. Dr. 
Sledd was pastor here for many years and was much 
beloved and admired. In his death his church lost 
one of her greatest men. 

The time for commencement had come again. Rev. 
Dr. John Matthews preached the sermon before the 
Woman's College, and Dr. Walter Page, of the Atlantic 
Jlonthly, made the address. The attendance had steadily 
increased since the opening, until now it was so large 
that an addition had to be made to the building. The 
work on the new wing began in the summer, and it 
was hoped that it would be finished by winter. The 
Lynchburg High School, according to a long established 
custom, held its annual commencement at the Opera 
House. 



440 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

There are many other events that may be mentioned. 
A real tornado visited the city July 4, and did much 
damage to some buildings. Just following this came a 
visitor hitherto unknown, the " kissing bug." It was 
said that it would kiss you on the lip, and that its kiss 
was poisonous, and that a negro boy here had been 
kissed and was killed by it. A great sensation was 
created for a while, but soon the bug and the sensation 
both disappeared. A primary was held July 31 to 
nominate a State Senator and a delegate to the House. 
Carter Glass was nominated for the first and T. D. Jen- 
nings for the second, and both were elected in November. 

An event of much interest took place September 14. 
It had been the custom for the Sunday-schools here to 
go on an excursion during the summer, and on this day 
the greatest Sunday-school excursion ever known here 
started. Under the leadership of E. F. Sheffey, super- 
intendent. Court Street Sunday-school, with a large 
crowd, went to Niagara Falls. INIany from outside the 
city came to take advantage of the low rates to see the 
Falls. They spent a day and a night there, and re- 
turned on the 16th without accident and well pleased. 

This seemed to be a decade of church building in 
Lynchburg. The First Presbyterian church was under 
construction ; Eighth Street Baptist church, colored, 
was dedicated September 24, Rev. J. M. Armistead, 
colored, preaching the sermon, and on the 26 th Court 
Street Methodist church made a decided move for a 
new forty thousand dollar building, upon which they 
hoped to begin work early next year. 



LYNCHBUEG AND ITS PEOPLE. 441 

Instead of the usual fair this year, only the races 
were had, and the usual forms of gambling carried on 
until the second day, when the gaming was broken up 
ai\d the gamblers arrested. 

A large number of Lynchburgers went to New York 
to witness the celebration, on land and water, September 
29 and 30, in honor of Admiral Dewey's return home. 

October 16 the new High School building was occu- 
pied, and on the 18th a large crowd assembled at 
Westminster to hear the venerable "Apostle to the New 
Hebrides," Dr. John G. Paton. His wonderful work 
among the cannibals of these islands has made him 
world-famous. 

The citizens were much interested in our war in the 
Philippines and in the war which had recently broken 
out between the English and the Boers of South Africa. 
Much space in the daily papers was given to these 
subjects. 

The Presbyterians had bought the old Quaker meet- 
ing-house and were making an eifort to rebuild it and 
call it the Quaker Memorial Presbyterian church. 

In October the Lynchburg Choral Society began its 
third season, and the College Hill Musical Society 
resumed its meetings. The Golf Club and the Orches- 
tral Society aiforded the young people much pleasure. 

A handsome new warehouse had been built on the 
site of the old house in which Dr. Read taught school, 
and later Mrs. Ramsey, and on the 28th it was opened 
and called Booker's new warehouse. 

It was a cold, drizzling afternoon, November 3, 



442 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

when a large crowd gathered at the depot to get a sight 
of the hero of the Santiago naval battle. When the 
train from Washington pulled in, the city council, the 
judge, the mayor and a delegation of citizens boarded it 
to meet Admiral Schley. Major John W. Daniel 
brought him to the rear platform and introduced him 
to the crowd, and he responded in a short speech. 
Many pressed forward and shook hands with him, and 
when the train pulled out the crowd cheered lustily. 

The population of Lynchburg was rapidly increasing, 
and it was estimated that at this time there were thirty- 
two thousand inhabitants in and around the city. The 
new-comers found it difficult to secure dwelling-houses, 
they were in such demand. The hardware manufac- 
turing company, the pipe works, the textile works, 
wagon and buggy factories, cotton mill, the paper box 
manufactory, flour mills, tobacco factories, dye works, 
bark mill, wood-working establishment, plow works, 
pants factory, hosiery company, barytes and bark mills, 
with other industries, employed a large number of 
operatives. 

A Lynchburg boy was honored at the National Sol- 
diers' Home near Hampton. Rev. James Collins cel- 
ebrated his first mass here June 25, and was assigned as 
priest to the Soldiers' Home. During the yellow fever 
there in July and August he continued to hold services 
and visit the sick. On this account he was presented 
with a gold chalice in honor of his fidelity. 

There were some changes in the Methodist churches 
here in November. Rev. Dr. W. J. Young succeeded 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 443 

Dr. A. Coke Smith at Court Street ; Rev. L. T. Wil- 
liams, Rev. Graham H. Lambeth at Riverraont 
Avenue, and Rev. R. O. Payne was sent to South 
View. 

Dr. Smith preached his farewell sermon to a large 
congregation November 26, and on the same day there 
were farewell services at the First Presbyterian church. 
The old church had been sold for a business house, and 
the congregation was to worship in the building of the 
Hill City Lodge until the new church was completed. 
At this service Rev. F. T. McFaden preached on the 
influence of the church, baptized several candidates and 
received members into the church. He was assisted by 
Rev. Dr. W. Y. Wilson, who was ordained in this 
church many years ago. At night the pastor again 
conducted the service, assisted by Rev. T. M. McCorkle 
and Dr. A. Coke Smith. The sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper was administered, and this closed the last service 
in the old building, which had stood forty-two years, 
the exact time the former church was used. Many 
tender memories cling to the old church. The scenes 
of joy and sadness that were often witnessed there are 
past and gone, but their sweet influence lingers. 

The Christian Scientists opened a hall for meeting 
on Church street, November 11, having previously 
held their services in a private house. 

The best art loan exhibition Lynchburg ever had 
opened November 30, in the new High School building. 
The whole building was devoted to it, and there was 
much of interest to be seen. The Confederate relics, 



444 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the art room, with many portraits of old citizens of 
Lynchburg, the paintings by home talent, the room 
with miscellaneous curios, and many other things, made 
it a very creditable exhibition. It was kept open until 
December 8, and large crowds attended. The pro- 
ceeds were used for the High School library, and the 
whole city acknowledged the credit due those who 
managed it. 

During the two weeks ending December 9, there was 
the largest sale of leaf tobacco ever known in the his- 
tory of the city. The warehouses were open night and 
day, and when the figures were added up they showed 
that within the time mentioned 3,549,100 pounds of 
tobacco had been sold, all of which brought a good 
price. 

The meeting of the council for December was an 
important one. A new gas company petitioned for a 
charter, and it was granted them. It was determined to 
provide the police department with a van, which was 
much needed ; and a memorial drawn up by T. D. 
Davis, the president, was adopted asking the legislature 
to establish a reformatory for negro boys. It was 
also signed by the judge of the Hustings Court and the 
mayor. This was a move of great importance, for the 
present condition of the average young negro is sad to 
contemplate. With too many their aspiration extends no 
higher than their sensuous and sensual natures. Nor is 
the education, for which the whites are spending thous- 
ands of dollars annually, yielding the desired fruit. Dr. 
J. W. Southall, State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 



LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 445 

tion, says in his last report : " In the light of present 
information it must be confessed that the negroes of 
the South are not making such progress in moral and 

material development as the advocates of public educa- 
tion had hoped. The fact is, our common schools 
are not giving the negro the right kind of education 
to aid him in becoming a better and more profitable 
citizen. The education that we are giving the negro 
makes him dissatisfied with the menial pursuits in 
which his fathers engaged, and in which he must 
engage if he is to make an honest living and become 
a useful member of the community in which he 
lives." The educating influence which the " old issue 
darkey" got by contact with the white peojile is 
almost wanting with the young negroes, and being 
without these elevating influences and a proper moral 
and industrial training, the tendency is downward. 
Lynchburg has always been ready to help the negro to 
a higher and better life, and this memorial for the bet- 
terment of the young criminals is but an indication of it. 



We have traced the history of Lynchburg through 
nearly one hundred and twenty-five years, and now we 
are at the last day that we shall chronicle, the last day 
of the year, Sunday, the 30th, and according to some, 
the last day of the century. It was intensely cold, but 
notwithstanding this, large crowds attended services at 
the various churches. At College Hill Baptist church. 
Rev. C. J. Thompson preached his farewell sermon 
before leaving for another field, as did Rev. F. P. 



446 LYNCHBURG AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Robertson at Cabell Street Baptist. At the Catholic 
church midnight mass was celebrated to usher in the 
new and holy jubilee year. As we leave the active, 
prosperous city at the close of this period, it is an im- 
pressive scene to look upon it silent and solemn in the 
attitude of worship. 

The register of deaths for the year is : January — J. 
B. Anderson, 6th ; James A. Ford, a prominent citizen, 
10th ; C. J. Updike, 24th ; L. Stremmel, 29th. Feb- 
ruary— S. Waldron, 2d; J. W. Jordan, 16th; J. W. 
Apperson, 28th. March — William Taylor drowned, 
5th ; C. W. Price, 27th ; J. Davis Christian, a bright 
young man, 29th. April — William Kinnier, a promi- 
nent merchant, 2d ; J. L. Fortune, 5th ; Rev. J. K. 
Clayton, pastor Cleveland Avenue Methodist church, 
7th. May — Dr. C. H. S. Snead, well-known druggist, 
11th ; E. W. Jones, 27th ; Major J. H. Flood, promi- 
nent citizen, 14th. July — R. I. Owen, one of the most 
liberal spirited young business men of the city, 6th; James 
Franklin, an old and wealthy citizen, 13th ; J. M. Step- 
toe, 29th. August— D. E. Coleman, 14th; W. M. 
Strother, one of our leading druggists, 22d. Septem- 
ber — Addison Sumpter, 2d; H. E. Gouldman, 19th. 
November — D. M. Poston, 2d ; T. H. Ivey, a venera- 
ble citizen, 19th; J. A. Blankenship, 21st. Decem- 
ber — R. E. Manson, a former citizen, interred here 
2d ; Dr. J. R. Hill, also a former citizen, interred here 
10th ; Rufus A. Dillon, 16th ; Caskie Burton, a bright 
young man, drowned while skating on the river above 
the dam, 30th. 



APPENDIX. 



LYNCHBURG COMPANIES IN "WAR OP 1812. 



Muster-roll of Capt. James DrxxiNGTON's Company, Virginia 
Militia (stationed at Camp Holly, &c.), first under Major Arm- 
istead, and then under Colonel John H. Cocke, from the 22d 
March to the 22d August, 1813: 

Captain, James Dunnington. Corporal, William Martin. 



First Lieut., Peter Dudley. 
Second Lieut., Wm. B. L}Tich. 
Sergeant, John Eobinson. 
Sergeant, Edmund B. Norvell. 
Sergeant, Samuel Garland. 
Sergeant, James Benaugh. 



Corporal, Isaac Gregory. 
Corporal, Christopher. 
Corporal, Robert Thurman. 
Corporal, French S. Gray. 
Drummer, William Pickett. 
Drummer, Ben. Crenshaw.* 



Anderson, John N. 
Askew, John D. 
Bradford, Fielding. 
Booker, Peter E. 
Campbell, David. 
Cobbs, Charles G. 
Davis, John, Jr. 
Doyle, William. 
Ellis, Hezekiah. 
Gray, Eobert. 
Gregory, Isaac. 
Horsely, Nicholas C. 
Lee, Shelly. 
Mays, John. 
Mays, Joseph. 



Fijer, William Youel. 

PRIVATES. 

Mason, David F. 
McAllister, John. 
Mitchell, Gideon. 
Mettart, George. 
Murrell, Harden D. 
Mattox, John. 
Norman, John H. 
Pierce, Cornelius. 
Puckett, Isham. 
Parten, Pleasant. 
Roy, John B. 
Rose, Littleton. 
Rose, Hugh M. 
Royal, Joseph E. 
Reid, John. 



Robinson, Harrison. 
Rives, William M. 
Smith, David. 
Strong, John. 
Staples, David. 
Thurman, N. B. 
Tait, Netherland. 
Vawter, John. 
Wright, James T. 
Wyatt, Edwin. 
Williams, Orran. 
Waterfield, James. 
Waterfield, Micajah. 
Young, Daniel. 



* Sometimes spelt Granger. 



448 



APPENDIX. 



Muster-roll of The Lynchburg Eifles, commanded by Captain 
Samuel J. Wiatt, in the service of the United States, in the 
Fourth Regiment, commanded by Lieut. -Col. George Huston, 
froni the 31st July, 1814, till the 29th August, 1814: 



Captain, Samuel J. Wiatt. 
Lieutenant, Powhatan Ellis. 
Etisign, Paulus A. E. Irving. 
First Sergt., Thomas Cohen. 
• Second Sergt., William Sumpter. 



Third Sergt., Edmund Anderson. 
Fourth Sergt., Henry Jacobs. 
First Corporal, Henry Allison. 
Second Corp., Griffin L. Lackie. 
Third Corp., Robert Rives. 



Fourth Corporal, Gideon Shaw. 



Akin, Alexander. 
Bernard, Smith. 
Bridgland, Solomon. 
Booker, Joseph P. 
Cobbs, William. 
Cobbs, Edmund. 
Cobbs, Anthony. 
Crandall, Thomas. 
Cohen, Joseph. 
Dinwiddle, William. 
Daugherty, Peter. 
Dick ins, Richard H, 
Echols, Moses. 
Fox, George. 
Guynn, John. 

Peter Knapper. 



Gore, W^illiam. 
Garthright, Samuel. 
Henry, Holman. 
Hancock, Ammond. 
Jennings, Philip. 
Joseph, Charles. 
Jones, Robert W. 
Johnson, Caleb. 
Lester, John. 
Lambeth,W^ashington. 
Lipscomb, Francis. 
Mitchell, George W. 
Mitchell, Thomas W. 
Mitchell, Thomas. 
McGee, William. 

SERVANTS. 

Daniel Ellis. 



McKenney, James. 
Medaris, Benjamin. 
Neighbours, Thomas. 
Otey, John B. 
Plunket, Jonathan. 
Rose, James. 
Rohr, Philip. 
Strong, John. 
Saunders, David. 
Strong, Thomas. 
Scott, William W. 
Thomas, Nelson. 
Terry, Thomas. 
Tait, Bacon. 
Tyree, Samuel. 

Henry Hill. 



APPENDIX. 



449 



LYNCHBURG COMPANIES IN THE SERVICE OP 
THE CONFEDERACY, 1861-'65. 



The Rifle Grays, Company A, Eleventh Regiment Virginia 
Volunteers: 



First Captain, M. S. Langhome. 
Second Captain, G. AV. Latham. 
Third Capt., Robt. M. Mitchell, Jr 
First Lieut., G. W. Latham. 
First Lieut., John W. Daniel 



First Sergt., Joseph A. Kennedy. 
Second Serqt., Elcano Fisher. 
IViird SergL, Henry D. Hall. 
Fourth Sergt., Peter B. Akers. 
First Corp., Geo. T. Wightman. 



Second Lieut.,B.oht.'M.Uitchel\,Jr. Second Corp., Samuel R. Miller. 
Second Lieut., H. C. Chalmers. Third Corp., Lucas Harvey. 
Fourth Corp., James O. Thurman, Jr. 



Allman, William H. 
Akers, William L. 
Bailey, James H. 
Bailey, James W. 
Benson, Henry G. 
Brown, Leslie' C. 
Beckwith, Henry C. 
Burroughs, Henry A. 
Ballard, James F. 
Bagby, George W. 
Cheatham, Thos. F. 
Cochran, Robert L. 
Cooney, Thomas. 
Camp, Albert G. 
Crumpton, James A. 
Crumpton, Joseph A. 
Clinkenbeard,Wm. E, 
Conklen, Thomas A. 
Connolly, Jerry M. 
Devine, Frank. 
Diuguid, Edward S. 
Davis, Thomas X. 
Delano, Joseph S. 
Dady, David. 
Evans, William H. 
Edwards, James M. 
Elam, H. F. 
Feyle, Frank H. 
Fulks, James W. 
Frances, Joseph M. 
Furry, William H. 
Gooldy, John F. 



PRIVATES. 

Henry, Charles W. 
Henry, John L. 
Harvey, Charles C. 
Hollins, John G. 
Hollins, James E. 
Heybrook, L. G. 
Hersman, Wm. B. 
Hunt, William R. 
Johnson, Shelbry. 
Jones, William B. 
Jones, Charles J. 
Kennedy, Michael. 
Kidd, George W. 
Latham, Robert F. 
• Linkenhoker, Samuel. 
Mitchell, John R. 
Mitchell, T. Holcomb. 
Mitchell, John J. 
Mitchell, William H. 
McKinney, Sam'l H. 
McCrary, Wm. B. 
Marks, James L. 
Milstead, William. 
McDivitt, C. P. H. 
Norris, Michael A. 
Norvell, Otway B. 
Omohundro, T. A. 
Porter, Thomas D. 
Pendleton, William. 
Price, N. Leslie. 
Parrish, Booker S. 
Pugh, Charles E. 



Peters, John I. 
Rucker, Edward P. 
Raine, John R. 
Robertson, Thomas D. 
Rainey, Charles W. 
Rogers, James B. 
Rock, John J. 
Rector, Thomas S. 
Sims, Robert F. 
Sewell, George W. 
Stubbs, Robert F. 
Stewart, Philip H. 
Stagle, John H. 
Stagle, David H. 
Sholes, Thomas C. 
Stewart, Stephen P. 
Stabler, Thomas S. 
Shepherd, Joseph H. 
Tyree, Charles H. 
Taylor, William H. 
Thurman, Powhatan. 
Turner, John II. 
Truiall, Andrew J. 
Tyree, Wm. D. R. 
Tyree, John R. 
Taliaferro, Ehoderick. 
Torrence, William H. 
Victor, Henry C. 
Wren, Peter R. 
Wartield, Thomas. 
Williams, William H. 



450 



APPENDIX. 



Lynchburg Rifles, Company E, Eleventh Eegiment Virginia 

Volunteers: 
Fh-sl Captain, J. E. Blankenship. Sergeant, A. D. Eead. 
Second Captain, C. \. ^Vinfl•ee. Sergeant, James W. ^Vray. 
Third Captain, John C. Ward. Sergeant, Thomas Keenan. 
First Lieutenant, C. V. Winfree. Sergexmt, E. G. Williams. 
First Lieutenant, James W. Wra}'. Sergeant, \\'illiam M. Seay. 
Second Licutenant,\^ . A. Strother. Sergeant, John L. Marion. 
Second Lieut., W. M. Taliaferro. Corporal, J. H. Shepperd. 



Lieutenant, John P. Knight. 
Lieutenant, ^Valter R. Abbott. 
Jjieutenant, Adolphns D. Read. 
Lieutenant, Charles H. Tyree. 
Lieutenant, George P. Norvell. 
First Sergeant, W. R. Abbott. 
Sergeant, John C. Ward. 



Corporal, John Ijovett. 
Corporal, 1). M. Pettigrew. 
Corporal, Thomas H. Love. 
Corporal, Jolin Kelly. 
Corporal, John R. Holt. 
Corporal, John Lovett. 
Corporal, W\ P. Whitlow. 



Anderson, Thos. X. 
Atkinson, John. 
Butterworth, John M. 
Butterworth, Wm. W. 
Bradley, "Winfree. 
Brown, F. M. 
Brown Hillary. 
Burks, Paulus Powell. 
Burks, S. C. 
Bailey, Samuel D. 
Bailey, Thomas D. 
Coffee, William H. 
Colvin, Howard H. 
Colvin, William O. 
Colvin, Robert O. 
Clark, C. C. 
Clark, C. B. 
Clark, R. C. 
Carey, John H. 
Carey, James. 
Day," Thomas E. 
Davis, Arthur P. 
Davis, T. D. 
Dunnivant, William. 
Evans, T. F. 
Equi, Joseph. 
Elder, Hiram P. ■ 
Farriss, William. 
Fortune, William. 
Foster, William E. 
Grant, Bluford. 



PRIVATES. 

Gaulding, T. Henry. 
Gregory, Edward S. 
Gregory, N. H. 
Goins, James. 
Gilbert, George W. 
Gilbert, William. 
Gilbert, Thomas. 
Hart, Patrick S. 
Haines, Robert L. 
Hurt, Samuel. 
Hickey, Patrick H. 
Hendricks, James. 
Howard, John. 
Houston, Francis R. 
Hudgins, James L. 
Hancock, W. T. 
Jones, Charles T. 
Jenkins, J. Samuel. 
Johnson, Charles Y. 
Kayton, J. Patrick. 
Lawhorne, Delaware. 
Lawhorne, James H. 
Lawhorne, Lorenzo. 
Lawhorne, Lucas P. 
Lipscomb, Charles P. 
Moore, Thomas H. 
Miller, James M. 
Mann, Daniel. 
Milstead, Benjamin. 
Marshall, John W. 
Marshall, James. 



jNIarshall, Charles. 
Marshall, David B. 
Myers, William. 
lilcCarthy, Patrick. 
jSTangle, Edward A. 
Neville, Lewis C. 
Noell, James H. 
Pettus, John E. 
Patrim, William A. 
Paris, Tliomas H. 
Parr, John E. 
Padgett, J. J. 
Parker, Joseph A. 
Roberts, Charles R. 
Rucker, Jackson. 
Rockecharlie. V. 
Strause, Simon. 
Stewart, William H. 
Simpson, Charles W. 
Searson, Thomas. 
Sullivan, Michael. 
Spillan, Patrick. 
Smith, George W. 
Smith, John G. 
Smith, Thomas. 
Smith, Robert H. 
Smith James. 
Thomas, Andrew J. 
Tavlor, William. 
Taylor, Burley T. 
Trent, George W. 



ArPEXDIX. 



451 



nrner, G. Kempton. Wooklridge, James R. Wills, John McD. 
urski, Francois. Wooldridge, Joseph. "Walker, J. S. L. 

rard, James S. Wright, Wm. Kichard.Wray, Thomas C. 



Tnrn 

T 

W 

Williamson, L. C 



Wray, Ellis D 



Home Guard, Company G, Eleventh Regiment, Virginia 
Volunteers: 



First Capt., Samuel Garland, Jr. 
Second Capt., Kirk wood Gtey. 
Third Capt., J. Holmes Smith. 
First Lieut., K. Otey. 
Second Lieut., J. G. Meem. 
Third Lieut., S. M. Simpson. 
Ord. Sercjeant, J. L. Meem. 
Third Sercjt., W. J. H. Hawkins. 



Sergeant, J. C. Johnson. 
Color Serf/eant, Wm. Sanford. 
Fifth Ser'fjeant, B. L. lilackford. 
Corporal, C. D. Hamner. 
Corporal, K. Seabury. 
Corporal, J. H. Smith. 
Corporal, Hugh Nelson. 
Surgeon, Benjamin Blackford. 



Abrahams, H. J. 
Adams, R. H. T. 
Akers, E. A. 
Armistead, James. 
Apperson, R. F. 
Anderson, John G. 
Ballowe, T. H. 
Barnes, C. F. 
Blackford, W. H. 
Booth, S. C. 
Brugh, J. B. 
Burks, E. W. 
Button, R. P. 
Burch, Samuel. 
Cabell, Breck. 
Cabell, P. H. 
Cabell, S. 
Campbell, Wiley. 
Colhoun, Robert. 
Conlev, John. 
Cosby", C. V. 
Creed, J. J. 
Cross, J. H. 
Crumpacker, John. 
Dowdy, T. N. 
Dabnev, H. 
DeWitt, C. 
Eubank, E. N. 
Franklin, James, Jr. 
Franklin, P. H. 
Ford, William A. 



PItr VAXES. 

Gregory, W. S. 
Guggenheimer,M.,Jr, 
Guy, D. C. 
Goggin, John. 
Harris, H. V. 
Harris, Meade. 
Hawkins, S. M. 
Holland, William. 
Ivey, J. W. 
Jennings, J. H. 
Jennings, T. D., Jr. 
Johnson, Minor. 
Kean, R. G. H. 
Kinnear, Jas. F. 
Kinnear, James O. 
Kabler, N. 
Kreuttner, Joseph. 
Kent, J. R. 
Lee, John A. 
Lavinder, G. T. 
Langhorne, C. D. 
Leckie, M. M. 
Lucado, L. F. 
Lyman, G. R. 
Lydick, James H. 
Lydick, D. 
Mayer, Max L. 
McCorkle, C. 
Miller, A. H. 
Moseley, C. A. 
Moorman, S. L. 



Mosby, L. C. 
Nelson, W. S. 
Nowlin, A. W. 
Oglesbv, John. 
Page, C. H. 
Percival, C. D. 
Pierce, R. C. 
Peters, R. T. 
Preston, L. P. 
Preston, S. D. 
Preston, T. L. 
Salmons, G. J. 
Sears, J. R. 
Shelton, G. W. 
Simpson, T. H. 
Snead, W. B. 
Spencer, C. S. 
Stratton, A. B. 
Sumpter, John U. H. 
Shaner, W. H. 
Taliaferro, Van. 
Terry, Charles W. 
Thompson, J. H. 
Toot, W. A. 
Trigg, W. K. 
Valentine, Joseph. 
W\aldron, R. L. 
Watkins, R. W. 
Walsh, T. C. 
Woods, W. H. H. 
Wheeler, J. M. 



452 



APPENDIX. 



Jefferson Davis Rifles, Company H, Eleventh Regiment 
Virginia Volunteers. 



Captain, J. Risque Hutter. 
First Lieutenant, Wm. L. Goggin. 
First Lieutenant,Win. S. Hannah. 
Second Lieutenant, Jas. W. Hord. 
Second Lieutenant, Ro. D. Early. 
Fiist Sergeant, James O. Freeman. 
Second Sergeant, S. B. Wright. 



Third Sergeant, D. C. Wright. 
Fourth Sergeant, W^m. S. Thayer. 
Fifth Sergeant, Brandon P. Neville. 
First Corporal, Geo. L. Jesse. 
Second Corporal, Geo. T. Mitchell. 
Third Corporal, Pat. H. Rourke. 
Fourth Corporal, Charles Schade. 



Akers, H. C. 
Banton, Robert. 
Banton, James H. 
Banton, Richard. 
Blanks, John N. 
Blanks, Robert. 
Burford, William. 
Boland, John 
Brown, John C. 
Cramer, A. W. 
Callan, Dan. 
Cunningham, Felix. 
Davis, John R. 
Davis, Thomas M. 
Daniel, John. 
Doyle, Henry. 
Donatini, G. 
Eagan, Gabriel. 
Floyd, Alex. 
Floyd, John J. 
Floyd, Nathan D. 
Flowers, Wm. P. 



PRIVATES. 

Flowers, Joseph W^. 
Fulks, Robert. 
Fox, Edward. 
Farrer, Robert. 
Fitzgerald, Cyrus. 
Fitzgerald, Ceyton L. 
Gouldin, H. L. 
Gouldin, William. 
Geurtz, Peter. 
Grossman, William. 
Hanly, John. 
Hurt, John H. 
Humphrey, M. L. 
Jones, Thomas. 
Kyle, Benjamin M. 
Labby, M. H. 
Lavinder, James. 
McCormack, L. 
McCormick, S. 
McCormack, Wm. 
McCormack, Wm. D. 
Mitchell, Richard H. 



Micalany, Peter. 
Musgrove, Franklin. 
Myers, Samuel W. 
Oliver, Pleasant. 
O'Brien, Michael. 
Rucker, George W. 
Rucker, Paulus G. 
Reynolds, James. 
Reynolds, John H. 
Rodgers, Geo. W. 
Rider, William. 
Still, Thomas. 
Stanly, Joseph. 
Stanl'y, D. W. 
Singleton, Wm. H. 
Seay, Isaac. 
Seay, Richard. 
Sprouse, Samuel. 
Turner, Charles. 
Whitten, James. 
White, John W. 



APPENDIX. 



453 



Wise Troop, Company B, Second Regiment Virginia Cavalry: 

Fir.^t QipL, John S. Langhorne. Flrat Ser()t., William Langhome. 

Second CnpL, Clias. M. Blackford. First SeryL, Robert W. Lacy. 

2'hird Capt, George B. Horner. Second Sergt., E. G. Scott. 

Fourth Capt., William Steptoe. Second Sergt., John S. Massie. 

Fird Lieut., C. M. Blackford. Third Sergt., A. S. Watson. 

Second Lieut., Van R. Otey. Fourth Sergt., W. B. Cross. 

Second Lieut., Wm. H. Stratton. Sergeant, M. B. Langhome. 

Second Lieut., A. D. Warwick. Sergeant, C. Christian. 

Second Lieut., John Alexander. Serc/eant, James Chalmers. 
Second Lieut., John O. Thornhill. Sergeant, John T. Luckett. 

Second Lieut., J. P. Robertson. Corporal, S. M. Alexander. 

Lieutenant, R. B. Lsbell. Corporal, C. V. Donohue. 
Corporal, F. M. Stone. 



Abbott, J. P. 
Akers, E. A. 
Alexander, E. A. 
Allen, T. W. 
Barnes, A. J. 
Barnes. E. F. 
Bays, John R. 
Berkley, Joseph. 
Bibb, John R. 
Boiling, W. R. 
Bowman, N. B. 
Boyd, Andrew. 
Boyd, James. 
Bradley, William. 
Brook,' St. Geo. T. 
Browning, C. P. 
Browning. John. 
Callahan, J. E. 
Carnetix, E. M. 
Caruthers, Jos. 
Clay, D. C. 
Coles, John. 
Cox, John C. 
Cox, P. S. 
Cox, Samuel. 
Cox, Thad. 
Crumpton, Robert. 
Dameron, C. D. 
Dobyns, Joe. 
Dunnington, V 
Early, S. H. 
Edwards, J. E. 



G. 



Edwards, J. T. 
Edwards, W. P. M. 
Eubank, W. E. J. 
Everett, H. B. 
Fariss, J. 
Flemming, F. W. 
Flood, Thomas W. 
Floyd, Charles A. 
Godsey, F. M. 
Green, Charles. 
Green, John L. 
Hammerling, C. D. 
Holley, W. E. 
Hunt, H. C. 
Ingram, J. R. 
Irvine, W. A. 
Jones, J. W. 
Kasey, J. B. 
Kefauver, William. 
Kemper, Hugh. 
Kinnear, George A. 
Kinnear, John A. 
Kinnear, William. 
Langhorne, J. Kent. 
L.awson, Joe. 
Lawson, S. M. 
Leake, F. M. 
Leman, A. H. 
Lewis, John C. 
Lock, Daniel. 
Love, A. D. 
Love, S. A. 



Love, T. H. 
Lucado, William F. 
Luck, Henry. 
Mays, C. J. 
Mays, C. Richard. 
]\Iays, H. H. 
McCorkle, S. M. 
Meriweather, C. J. 
Mitchell, J. E. 
Moore, Sampson. 
Morgan, J. H. 
Norvell, Charles. 
Offterdinger, Herman. 
Palmer, C. F. 
Percival, George. 
Perrigo, George. 
Perriman, William P. 
PettA-john, S. W. 
Phelps, J. C. W. 
Purvis, W. C. 
Read, John A. 
Roberts, H. T. 
Rucker, James G. 
S.ale, J. E. 
Seabury, E. C. 
Seabury, R. M. 
Seabury, W. J. 
Sherrar, John C. 
Smith, John Thomas. 
Smith, William N. 
Sneed, S. Emmitt. 
Spencer, "\V. R. 



454 



APPENDIX. 



Stone, Frank. 
Sullivan, Dennis. 
Sumpter, S. R. 
Taylor, John O. 
Taylor, O. P. 
Taylor, Thomas P. 



Thurman, Alexander. Watson, W. H. 
Thurman, Powhatan. Whitlow, W. H. 
Toler, W. D. 
Tucker, W^illis. 
Tyree, Richard. 
Wall, Thomas. 



Witt, J. C. 
Woodruff, A. M. 
Wright, J. L. 



Lee Battery, Company A, Braxton' s Battalion, Virginia Artillery. 

First Captain, Pierce B. Anderson. Second Lieut. , William Early. 
Second Captain, Charles J. Raine. Second Lieut., W. H. Hughes. 
Third Capt. , Wm. W. Hardwicke. Second Lieut. , James Hughes. 
First Lieutenant, C. W. Statham. First Sergeant, W. H. Broyles_. 
Second Lieid., Chas. J. Raine. Second Sergeant, Thos. Franklin. 
Second Lieut. , John R. Massey. Third Sergeant, Wm. Eads. 
Second Lieut., W. W. Hardwicke. Fourth Sergeant, Thos. Wood. 
Orderly Sergeant, Alex. East. 



Alvis, Sam. 
Brooks, William. 
Brooks, James. 
Brooks, T. S. 
Brooks, Thomas. 
Bowman, John. 
Bransom, Jackson. 
Bateman, Sam. 
Broyles, Samuel A. 
Cregg, Callahan. 
Caldwell, Archer. 
Cox, John. 
Coleman, Singleton. 
Coleman, George. 
Coffee, Thomas. 
Castillo, Patrick. 
Depriest, William. 
Davidson, Benj. 
Dunn, Samuel. 
Donivan, William. 
East, William. 
Eads, Thomas. 
Eads, Joe. 
Eads, Samuel. 
Friedhoff, Hammond. 
Fletcher, Lucian. 
Falwell, John. 
Gowin, James. 
Gowin, John. 
Gowin, Sam. 
Gaddess, John B. 
Green, Charles. 



PRIVATES. 

Goolsby, Joshua. 
Grubs, William. 
Goolsby, Louis. 
Green, John. 
Hyman, Henry. 
Hugus, Benj. 
Hughes, James. 
Johnson, Charles. 
Johnson, Thomas. 
Johnson, Joseph. 
Kersey, William. 
Kersey, James. 
Kinlock, W'illiam. 
Kirsey, Edward. 
LjTich, John. 
Lipscomb, Wm. 
Layne, Wm. 
Mays, Alonzo. 
Milstead, Frank. 
Mitchell, William. 
Manning, John. 
Moraity, Patrick. 
Norvell, George. 
Norvell, Marion. 
Purdue, Josiah. 
Purdue, Benj. 
Phelps, William. 
Plumb, Louis. 
Roach, William. 
Roach, James. 
Rider, Isaiah. 



Rule, Peter. 
Robinson, James. 
Robinson, Turner. 
Richey, James. 
Rock, George. 
Raine, James. 
Stewart, William. 
Sprouts, William. 
Sprouts, Henry. 
Shepard, Joseph. 
Shepard, Richard. 
Smith, Joseph. 
Stanley, William. 
Stanley, William, Jr. 
Sharp, William. 
Sharp, Henry. 
Seay, James. 
Turner, Wm. R. 
Turpin, Riley. 
Taylor, James. 
Trent, Benj. 
Walker, Reese. 
Walker, John. 
Walker, William. 
Whorley, William. 
Wood, Patrick. 
Wright, William. 
Woolridge, Richard. 
Woolridge, Peter. 
Woolridge, Beverly. 
Woolridge, Daniel. 



APPENDIX. 



455 



Beauregard Kiples (afterward Beauregard Artillery, or Moor- 
man's Battery), mustered into service at Lynchburg, Va., May 
11, 1861: 

First CapL,yiarce\his^. Moorman. Second SerrjL, John J. Shoemaker. 
Second Capt., John J. Shoemaker. Third Sergf., James K. Read. 
First Lieut., Blake L. Woodson. Fourth Sergt., Ed. H. Moorman. 
^cond Lieut , Ferd. C. Hutter. First Corp., Henry D. Yancey. 
Third Lieut., Joseph B. Smith. Second Corp., Aug. Leftwich.' 
First Sergt., Charles R. Phelps. Third Corp., Charles L. Burch. 
Fourth Corp., John Hurley. 



Burkholder, Robt. C. 
Boyd, James M. 
Boyd, Charles A. 
Boyd, Edward D. 
Brown, Samuel H. 
Brown, Willliam R. 
Burford, William E. 
Burford, William C. 
Burford, Archer L. 
Burch, Thomas P. 
Boydton, Wm. Shelley 
Bradley, James M. 
Cobbs, James A. 
Cary, John. 
Culien, Thomas P. 
Clopton, William A. 
Christian, John S. 
Coflee, William W. 
Dornin, Anthony E. 
Derr, Charles H. 
Edmondson, John T. 
Edwards, John T. 
Fitzgerald, Wm. N. 
Farmer, Calvin. 
Fisher, G. W. 
Furgerson, Stephen B. 
Fitch, Charles. 
Fariss, Richard. 
Green, George W. L. 
Gordon, Samuel A. 
Hanks, Peter D. 
Hamlett, Robert A. 



PRIVATES. 

Isbell, David D. 
Johnson, William R. 
Jones, McK. W. 
Jones, John D. 
Kinnear, George A. 
Logan, Henry D. 
Loose, William. 
Morris, Charles W. 
Morris, William A. 
Murpliy, Walter B. 
Murphy, Albert E. 
Meredith, Samuel A. 
Mundy, Zachary N. 
Mayo, Leonard. 
Marx, William. 
Miller, Robert R. 
Morford, William P. 
Moore, Joseph. 
JNlarshall, Hunter. 
Meadow, T. P. 
Mauck, Peter D. 
McDonald, Alex. 
McMaster, John. 
McGrath, John. 
McAlister, Robt. C. 
Nunnalee, Lewis T. 
Nortli, Clayton. 
Pamplin, VVilliam J. 
Poindexter, G. H. 
Percival, Peter. 
Pettyjohn, Charles. 
Pettyjohn, Joseph. 



Pettyjohn, Jesse X. 
Preston, Samuel T. 
Padgett, Radford H. 
Perkins, Richard J. 
Quinlan, Edward. 
Rucker, James G. 
Ritchev, Harvie F. 
Reid, "\Villiam S. 
Read, John A. 
Rose, Harry J. 
Rosser, Ed. B. 
Steptoe, Xathaniel M. 
Smithson, Leslie C. 
Stephens, James D. 
Stephens, James W. 
Slaughter, John A. 
Stratton, Albert F. 
Stratton, Jacob. 
Smith, Vincent C. 
Schatiter, Aurelius. 
Turpin, W. R. 
Vorhauer, William. 
Watts, Richard A. 
Wood, John F. 
AVebb, John ^y. 
Woodroof, Suprey C. 
Woodroof, J. W.' 
Wooling, Henry B. 
Wills, Alexander F. 
Whitten, A. E. 
Williams, Charles W. 
Yeatman, Thomas R. 



456 



APPENDIX. 



Latham's Battery, Company D, Thirty-Eighth Virejinia 
Battalion. 



First Captain, H. Grey Latham. 
Second Captain, James Dearing. 
Third Captain, Jos. G. Blomit. 
Fourth Captain, J. W. Dickerson. 
First Lieut., Geo. S. Davidson. 
First Lieut., Jas. W. Dickerson. 
First Lieut., T. F. Richardson. 
First Lieut., J. L. Thompson. 
Second Lieut., W. J. Folkes. 
Second Lieut. , L. Clark Leftwich. 
Second Lieut., William King. 
Second Lieut., Chas. A. Taylor. 



Second Lieut., J. L. Thompson. 
Second Lieut., Jos. G. Blount. 
Second Lieut., W. H. Blackwell. 
Second Lieut. , N. H. Hazlewood. 
Sergeant, C. A. Taylor. 
Sergeant, S. R. Lampkin. 
Sergeant, G. W. Apperson. 
Sergeant, M. L. Percival. 
Corporal, Wm. P. Taliaferro. 
Corporal, J. B. Ley. 
Corporal, R. J. Rice. 
Drummer, James Chenault. 



Allen A. 

Blackwell, Wm. H. 
Biby, George. W. 
Coleman, Clifton L. 
Carndea, William. 
Cox, William F. 
Camden, Samuel H. 
CuUen, J. W. 
Creasy, James F. 
Coleman, R. H. 
Chavers, J. L. 
Camden, William, 
Chenault, C. O. 
Day, C. R. 
Davidson, F. M. 
Dickell, Charles. 
Dayton, E. T. 
Dowdy, James M. 
Fields, Leon. 
Fat, George F. 
Godsey, Frank. 
Goff, Thomas. 
Gilliam, James D. 
Gilliam, Wm. A. 
Gilliam, Cornelius. 
Graham, Thomas. 



Hughes, Hugh. 
Hickey, Daniel. 
Heckworth, L. C. 
Hughes, T. N. 
Kendall, George E. 
Kennady, John. 
Laine, J. H. 
Lindsey, W. 
McGuley, J. B. 
McCanna, James. 
McCreary, Daniel. 
McCreary, John W. 
Moore, W. S. 
Moore, J ere. 
Moseley, G. W. 
Marks, T. V. 
Mason, J. N. 
Mays, James W. 
Oliver, William H. 
O'Brien, Wm. A. 
Owen, J. B. 
Perry, J. G. 
Padgett, Geo. 
Pettit, E. D. 
Phelps, Thomas. 
Perry, C. M. 



Phelps, Jos. M. 
Phelps, J. B. 
Patteson, W. H. 
Read, WiUiam. 
Reynolds, Benj. 
Ross, Thomas. 
Radley, John. 
Richardson, T. F. 
Robinson, A. P. 
Stanley, George W. 
Sumpter, A. McK. 
Spencer, Albert. 
Spencer, Wm. A. 
Spencer, James. 
Thompson, J. L. 
Tibbe, John A. 
Torgee, Geo. W. 
Wicker, R. T. 
Wicker, William. 
Wyatt, C. N. 
Woolridge, M. W. 
Walden, E. H. 
Wright, G. R. 
Woolridge, Peter W. 
Wright, C. L. 
Viar, Jacob. 



APPENDIX. 459 



Kirkpatrick's Battery, Company A, Thirty-first Battalion 
Virginia Artillery:* 

Captain, Thos. J. Kirkpatrick. Second Lieut, K. G. Scott. 

First Lieut., George W. Hobson. Third Lieut., A. K. Woodroof. 

PRIVATES. 

Butterworth, Moses. Kinekle, Frank T. McCorkle, John J. 

Christian, Jolin. Kinnear, John H. Miller, Frank T. 

Doss, AVilliam. Lewis, John. Nowlin, James B. 

Hains, Christopher. Mason, John T. Petty, William J. 

Hewitt, A. Boiling. McCausland, Jas. F. Rodes, Lafayette P. 

Hewitt, A. I. McDaniel, William L. Steptoe, W. T. 

Hewitt, A. R. Moore, Thomas W. Steptoe, Jacob M. 

Homer, James W. McKinnev, Barney. Wills, Edwin D. 

Inge, William J. McCorkle, William. Yancey, W. T. 



Second Regiment Virginia Cavalry, f 

First Colonel, R. C. W. Radford. 

Second Colonel, T. T. Munford. 

Third Colonel, Gary Breckinridge 

First Lieutenant-Colonel, T. T. Munford. 

Second Lieutenant-Colonel, J. W. Watts. 

Third Lieutenant- Colonel, Cary Breckinridge. 

Fourth Lieutenant-Colonel, W. F. Graves. 

First Major, J. S. Langhorne, 

Second Major, A. L. Pitzer. 

Third Major, Cary Breckinridge. 

F(mrth Major, W. F. Graves. 

Fifth Major, Thomas Whitehead. 

First Adjutant, R. H. Banks. 

Second Adjutant, Lomax Tayloe. 

Third Adjutant, John W. Tayloe. 

Fourth Adjutant, Samuel Griffin. 

First Assistant Surgeon, S. H. Meredith. 

Second Assistant Surgeon, W. H. Bowyer. 

I'hird Assistant Surgeon, W. B. Davies. 

Fourth Assistant Surgeon, J. H. Nelson. 

Fifth Assistant Surgeon, W. H. Peake. 

Sixth Assistant Surgeon, James Roan. 

Seventh Assistant Surgeon, W. H. Shackleford. 

First Quartermaster, W. H. Trent. 

First Commissary, Albert McDaniel. 

First Sergeant-Major, William Steptoe. 



* This Is a roster of the Lynchburg members. 

t First mounted regiment organized in Virginia. Organized at 
Lynchburg May 8, 1861, Colonel J. A. Early, mustering officer. 



460 APPENDIX. 

Second Sergeant-Major, John Fulks. 

Third Sergeant-Major, R. T. Watts. 

Fourth Sergeant-Major, W. J. Holcombe. 

Fifth Sergeant-Major, Samuel Griffin. 

First Color-Sergeant, Lomax Tayloe. 

Second Color-Sergeant, H. D. Yancey. 

Third Color-Sergeant, James E. Tucker. 

Fourth Color-Sergeant, J. T. Morgan. 

First Commissary- Sergeant, C. H. Almond. 

First Quartermaster-Sergeant, F. Merriweather. 

Farrier, F. Williams. 

Chief Blacksmiths, W. B. Bowyer and B. Hughes. 

First Bugler, J. H. Kasey. 

Second Bugler, William Wilson. 

Chaplain, W. W. Berry. 

Adjutant's Clerk and Ordnance Officers, M. Guggenheimer and T. 
P. Tayloe. 

Regimental Band, George R. Lyman, Leader; Charles H. Eau, 
Thomas Walker, Frank Slyering, A. R. Edwards, James M. Ed- 
wards, Hercy E. Carper, H. M. Harris, R. W. Thurman, Thomas 
Wilson. 

Company A, Captain William R. Terry, Bedford county. 

Company B, Captain John S. Langhorne, Lj-nchburg. 

Company C, Captain Andrew L. Pitzer, Botetourt county. 

Company D, G. W. B. Hale, Franklin county. 

Company E, Edgar Whitehead, Amherst county. 

Company F, James Wilson, Bedford county. 

Company G, R. C. W. Radford, Bedford county. 

Company H, Joel W. Flood, Appomattox county. 

Company I, J. D. Alexander, Campbell county. 

Company K, Eugene Davis, Albemarle county. 



APPENDIX. 



461 



OFFICIAL ROSTERS OF THE LYNCHBURG COM- 
PANIES IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED 
STATES IN THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 



The Zouaves, Company E, Second Eegiment Virginia Vol- 
unteers: 



Captain, E. E. Craighill. 
First Lieut., A. B. Percy. 
Second Lieut., A. S. Burnham. 
First Sergt., Guy M. Langhome 
Q^ master Sergt., ]\I. Allen. 
Sergt., W. L. Holt. 
Sergt., J. R. Mitcham. 
Sergt., R. C. Williams. 
Sergt., H. O. Holt. 



Armistead, H. M. 
Armistead, L. L., Jr. 
Anderson, E. L. 
Andrews, James P. 
Brightwell, E. W. 
Bowles, Ed. F. 
Brown, A. D. 
Bro^vne, J. L. 
Brooder, E. F. 
Browne, E. J. 
Canada, E. H. 
Carter, L. G. 
Craxton, N. W. 
Dufiel, E. A. 
Duffel, V. H. 
Easley, C. B. 
Evans, W. H. 
Forsberg, F. A. 
Fletclier, Ashton. 
Goggin, John O. L. 
Hensley, James O. 
Henson, George L. 



Wagoner, Spot. F. Fulks, 

PRIVATES. 

Hickson, Ed. 
Hickson, M. B. 
Hopkins, G. H. 
Hopkins, W. A. 
Hogan, O. S. 
Hickok, John D. 
Johnson, H. L. 
Jordan, W. B. 
Jerry, G. W. 
Jordan, John B. 
Jordan, Hugo. 
Kern, LeRoy E. 
Long, J. H. 
Layne, W. E. 
Lewis, E. B. 
Lajme, F. S. 
Lee, E. L. 
Long, E. L. 
Loving, E. W. 
Messier, E. M. 
McCormick, G. H. 
Moseley, R. M. 



Corporal, B. B. Miu-dock. 
Corporal, J. M. Tanner. 
Corporal, Henry L. Johnson. 
Corporal, L. E. Wingfield. 
Corporal, George T. Pleasants. 
Corporal, Harry P. Baker. 
Musician, Langhome D. Lewis. 
Musician, William P. McXeer. 
Artificer, F. S. Moore. 



Noel, E. F. 
Ownev, T. L. 
Padgett, P. T. 
Pitman, W. G. 
Quarles, S. H. 
Eoss, G. E. 
Senseney, W. P. 
Scott, W. P. 
Shands, William. 
Southall, Ashton G. 
Smith, S. J. 
Stephenson, J. H. B. 
Thomas, E. O. 
Turpin, Patrick. 
Thompson, George B. 
Winston, Joseph H. 
Wilkinson, Thos. E. 
Witt, J. E. 
Williams, E. L. 
Wood, E. E. L. 
Wolfenden, J. G. 



462 



APPENDIX. 



Home Guard, Company E, Third Regiment Virginia Volunteera. 



First Captain, F. C. Scruggs. 
Second Vaptain, W. S. Faulkner. 
First Lieutenant, W. J. Seabury. 
Second Lieut., W. S. Faulkner. 
First Sergeant, G. li. Lewis. 
Q'rmaster Sergt., R. L. Stabler. 
Sergeant, Frank Adams. 
Sergeant, H. M. Scott. 
Sergeant, H. C. Snead. 
Sergeant, J. H. Akers. 



Corporal, C. S. Adams. 
Corporal, F. W. Agnor. 
Corporal, G. W. Gilbert. 
Corporal, C. D. Hamner. 
Corporal, R. A. Lacy. 
Corporal, R. H. Oglesby. 
Musician, W. H. Tyree. 
Musician, W. H. Bailey. 
Artificer, Patrick Kelly. 
Wagoner, P. M. Jones. 



Adams, Clias. L. 
Burrow, Bardon C. 
Bondurant, H. C. 
Brown, J. L. 
Brown, Chas. L. 
Berry, Little. 
Bradley, D. 
Camp, Robert P. 
Carter, Chas. D. 
Cox, Walter E. 
Carter, T. S. 
Calloway, James D. 
Dickey, Rufus M. 
Davis, W. E. 
Deverick, W. B. 
FoBco, William. 
Gill, Charles E, 
Garland, Landon C. 
Garland, J. P., Jr. 
Grim, George E. 
HiU, A. B. 



PBIVATES. 

Harris, W. E. 
Hix, Henry A. 
Harris, J. B. 
Jenkins, Ed. 
Kinnear, Robert. 
Kemper, B. F. 
Light, Brownlow. 
Loyd, J. J., Jr. 
Lacy, Hays O. 
Lindsay, C. D. 
Mosby W. H. 
Morris, C. S. 
Morgan, R. W., Jr. 
Mays, Rennie O. 
Murkland, Ed. A. 
Moorman, Geo. L. 
Murry, Thomas J. 
Minter, Wm. E. 
Mitchell, A. C. 
Noel, Claude R. 
Nichols, E. J. 



Oglesby, Robert D. 
Payne, David B. 
Pollard, James O. 
Pendleton, W. C, Jr. 
Roberts, H. H. 
Rucker, Edwin. 
Robinson, Geo. W. 
Sanders, Joseph W. 
Stone, John A. 
Sholes, John H. 
Sprinkle, Emmet B. 
Spence, Wade A. 
Taylor, Joel F. 
Tompkins, Alex. S. 
Talbot, W. E. 
Thompson, John. 
Watts, S. C. 
Wilson, Harry S. 
Wellford, James L. 
Wilson, Walter C. 
Watson, E. L. 



APPENDIX. 



463 



The Fitz Lee Eifles, Cojipany L, Third Kegiment Virginia 
Volunteers: 

Caplain, R. L. Miller. Corporal, William F. Enochs. 

Fimt Lieut, John D. Clark. Corporal, Walter L. Fulks. 

Second Lieut, R. H.T. Adams, Jr. Corporal, James H. Snider. 



First Sergt, W. D. Monroe. 
Q'rm'r Sergt., Alvin B. Scruggs. 
Sergeant, Ed. Murphy. 
Sergeant, Daniel A. Broader. 
Sergeant, John E. Pettus. 
Sergeant, Wm. P. Gorman. 



Corporal, Ernest Hall. 
Corporal, James C. Peerman. 
Corporal, James F. Lyle. 
3fus{cian, Walter Almond. 
Musician, Joseph L. App. 
Artificer, Robert L. Atkins. 



Wagoner, Charles H. Brown. 



Abbott, C. F. 
Adams, C. 
Brooks, D. J. 
Black, Edgar. 
Burch, Ct. a. 
Brown, R. C. 
Bowles, Henry F. 
Broader, J. P. 
Burnlev, J. W. 
Childress, C. W. 
Childress, J. C. 
Cahill, E. W. 
Crawford, W. G. 
Cheatwood, S. M. 
Carter, C. D. 
Doyle, ^lichael. 
Dunbar, Harrv. 
DuU] R. F. 
Dillard, J. F. 
Drinkard, B. H. 
Evans, David T. 
Eubank, George. 
Foster, W. H. 
Glass, Clarance. 
Godsey, W. 
Goff, Nathan. 



Gilliam, George W. 
Green, W. H. 
Hendricks, T. H. 
Hall, VV. D. 
Harvey, Robert E. 
Hamilton, G. E. 
Hendershall, H. J. 
Hudson, Luke. 
Jenkins, H. W. 
Jennings, Jesse U. 
Kennedy, D. F. 
Kennedv, S. H. 
Kelly, R. E. 
Kellv, J. W. 
Kelly, D. J. 
LeGrand, J. W. 
Leff'ew, James. 
Lavton, Reuben E. 
Lyle, J. F. 
Lawless, Mike L. 
Mallerv, T. E. 
Murphy, VV. R. 
Moreland, B. M. 
Martin, S. R. 
Morgan, E. W. 



McKenna, F. E. 
McKenna, Ed. 
O' Meara, J. F. 
Peters, Stephen. 
Pendleton, Charles. 
Pickett, W. J. 
Pavne, W. J. 
Rilev, J. L. 
Ray; R. W. 
Rominev, M. 
Slavin, \V. S. 
Saunders, S. L. 
Schnltz, J. C. 
Stinnett, Warren. 
Slavin, Robert L. 
Turner, J. R. 
Turner, W. E. 
Turner, Ed. 
Vest, R. C. 
Wheeler. E. C. 
Woody, M. G. 
Wood, James B. 
Woods, Patrick. 
Yuille, James F. 
Zwanziger, J. 






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